128 ASPARAGUS 



Delaware, and Maryland, and is present in Penns^d- 

 vania, New York, and Ohio. The question of distri- 

 bution is an important one, as this species is rapidly 

 extending its range. In a very few 3'ears we may ex- 

 pedl its spread to other portions of the States in which 

 it is now local, and later it will naturally move west- 

 ward to Indiana and other States west and south of 

 there. 



The insect passes the winter in the beetle state 

 under convenient shelter, and toward the end of April 

 or early in May, according to locality, or at the season 

 for cutting the asparagus for market, issues from its 

 hibernating quarters and lays its eggs for the first 

 brood. The eggs are deposited endwise upon the stem 

 or foliage, and in the earh* spring upon the developed 

 stalks, usually in rows of from two to six, or more. 

 In from three to eight days the eggs hatch, the ^-oung 

 lar\'ae, commonly called "grubs" or "worms," pre- 

 senting the appearance indicated in Fig. 42, c. They at 

 once begin to feed, and are from ten days to a fort- 

 night, according to Fitch and others, in attaining full 

 growth. When full grown the larva appears as in 

 Fig. 42, d. It is soft and fleshy, much wrinkled, and 

 in color dark gray or olive, which usually becomes 

 lighter and j-ellowish with age. The mature larva 

 enters the earth, and here, within a little rounded, 

 dirt-covered cocoon which it forms, the pupa state is 

 assumed. In from five to eight or more days the 

 adult beetle is produced, which soon issues from the 

 ground in search of food and of a suitable place for 

 the continuance of the species. In Fig. 43 is shown a 

 spray of asparagus, with the connnon asparagus beetle 



