IJ. The Asparagus Beetle. 
(Crioceris asparagt, Linn.) 
For more than 30 years this insect has been a serious pest in 
the east, and seems to have selected Long Island and the vicinity 
of New York as a favorite feeding ground. Like many others 
of our insect pests, the asparagus beetle is not a native of this 
country, but was brought over from Europe, although from just 
what part is not positively known. European gardeners, how- 
ever, are said to be of the opinion that it was first known in 
Russia. Dr. Lintner, in his first annual report (p. 240), states that 
this insect was first noticed in this country at Astoria, L. I, in 
1859, but that the actual importation of the species was probably 
three or four years earlier. It was not confined to this section 
long, however, but spread rapidly over the western section of the 
island, and from there eastward until it is now found in great 
numbers from one end of the island to the other. In the vicinity 
of Jamaica and Queens it was especially abundant in 1894. The 
asparagus beetle is also found in the western part of the State, 
from which ‘section it was recently reported to the Station as 
being very abundant. It is also reported as having been found 
in Ohio and other of the central States. 
The eggs, which are of a dull blackish-brown color, are usually 
found attached to the plant in rows-of from two to five or six, 
The larvee are dull ash-gray with a dark colored head. When. 
full grown they measure, as arule, a little less than one-fourth of 
an inch in length and are largest toward the posterior end. The 
beetle although small, being about the same length as a full 
grown larva, are conspicuous for their bright markings. The 
head and antennez are shining black. The second joints of the 
latter are somewhat smaller than the remainder. The thorax is 
brick-red with two obscure black marks half way between the 
anterior and posterior margins. Each wing cover is dotted with 
nine rows of slight depressions and around each outer margin is an 
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