54 
INSECTS THAT AFFECT ASPARAGUS. 
Jiy F. H. CiinTKNDKN. 
Since the ])]eparati()n for implication in the Yearbook of the Denart- 
iiieiit of Agriculture for 1S<M> of the writer's article entitled ''The 
Asparaj^riis Beetles,'' observations have been continued on these two 
sj)ecies of ('rioceris, i>articular attention beinj: directed toward C. 12- 
pKHctatd, as its life eccuionjy has not been fully understood. Sucli other 
species of insects as have been observed on asparagus in the present as 
well as in past years have also received attention and the results are 
embodied in the i)resent i)aper. 
Few inii)orted plants enjoy so nearly complete immunity from the 
attacks of natixc insects as does asi)ara<,ais. Its folia«,^e is sutticiently 
succulent an<l palatable to suit the taste of many insects, but it is not 
apparently i)referred to other older and more natural food plants. 
Such insects as have been found feedin<^ ui)<)n this phmt ai)]»ear to eat 
it with perfect relish, and several species are of almost constant occur- 
rence in as]>aragus beds wherever the phnit is cultivated. 
In the })reparation of this artich' an effort has been inach' to include 
every sjK'cies of native insect that is known to attack the asi)ara«,ais, 
and it embraces some few brief references to Kuroi)ean species that 
infest this plant, as it is from the insects that feed natnrallj' upon 
asi)aragus that we look for troublesome forms. 
THE COMMON ASPAKAGUS IJEETLE. 
(Crioceris nsporagi Linn.) 
The time of earliest appearance of this species in a locahty, appears 
to be directly limited to its food sui)ply. Thus, during the spring of 
1.S97 it was not found at Cabin John Bridge, ^laryland, until the 
appearance of the asparagus shoots in the beds in the last week in 
April; and larva*. Just hatched, were not noticed till the second week 
of ^lay, while the same week larva* nearly mature were observed at 
Suitsville, Md., both localities within live miles of the District of 
Columbia. At Suitsville the lirst adults of the new brood undoubtedly 
ai)peared in May, and under ordinary conditions this brood appears 
during the latter half of the month in the latitude of the District 
of Columbia. The beetles disappeared for hibernation some time in 
Septemijer. 
It was noticed this year that, although the eggs are deposited chiefly 
upon young and tender i»lants on all i)arts of a i)lant, ovii)ositi()n 
apparently occurs early in the season and upon later young growths, 
in which respect it dilVers from C. J i^ punctata^ and that the unopened 
buds are the favorite place for egg deposit. Often a bud is found with 
a single egg ujion it, and more often a row will extend from this down 
the bud stem. As many as eleven have more than once been observed 
in these rows. It is not a normal habit to place one egg upon the end 
