18 ASPARAGUS. 



having advanced as far north as New Hampshire.* This is one of the 

 most northerly of the United States on tlie eastern coast, having about 

 eighteen miles of somewhat marshy sea-shore ; and the migration of 

 the beetle is of some practical interest as another example of the capa- 

 bility of our insect infestations for spread hi America; Avhilst (probably 

 on account of our island climate being unsuitable for their propagation) 

 the American insect pests have hitherto not gained the same amount 

 of footing here. 



This " Asparagus Beetle " som.etimes appears (as noted by John 

 Curtis t) in great numbers over a large area, — as in 1836, when every 

 plant examined on many acres of Asparagus beds from Battersea to 

 Kew, and also at Hammersmith, was infested during summer and 

 autumn, — and then it may totally disappear. But so far as my own 

 experience goes, I should say that, on the scale of common garden culti- 

 vation, it is just one of the attacks that may be very much lessened, or 

 even stamped out, by remedial measures being taken on its first obser- 

 vation. In a garden which I occupied for awhile near Isleworth, the 

 Asparagus was so exceedingly infested that I had full opportunity of 

 observation ; and as, from the occasional enquiries still forwarded, the 

 attack and very simple remedial treatment requisite do not seem as 

 generally known as could be wished, it may be of service to notice 

 them now. 



The beetles are about a quarter of an inch long; of a blue-black or 

 deep blue-green colour; the horns black; fore body (thorax) reddish, 

 with two black spots above ; the wing-cases ochreous-yellow with dark 

 bluish, or greenish, ground colour, so arranged in a stripe down the 

 centre, a transverse band, and a patch or spot at the base and tip, as 

 to form a kind of cross-shaped marking, whence the occasional name 

 of " Cross-bearer." The wings are ample, and the six legs somewhat 

 long. 



The eggs are somewhat spindle-shaped, dark coloured, and are 

 fastened singly by one end along the shoots, or on the unopened flower 

 buds. The grubs are fleshy, of a dirty olive or slate colour, cylindrical, 

 somewhat lessened in size towards the head, which is small and black. 

 The three segments next to the head are each furnished with a pair of 

 black claw-feet, and the tail extremity, which can be curved partly 

 round the supporting stalk, is furnished with a fleshy foot, these 

 together giving the grubs such a firm hold that it is not easy to pick 

 them off. Also the power which the grab possesses of exuding a fluid 

 of a dark colour from its mouth, on Sinj alarm, is probably a great 

 protection against natural enemies. The grubs are stated to be full-fed 



* See ' Insect Life ' ; Periodical Bulletin of U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, No. for 

 August, 1892, pp. 395 and 401. 



t See ' Gardener's Chron.,' vol. for 1845, p. 592. 



