Circular No. 102. 
 
 United States Department of 
 
 urc, 
 
 AU OF ENTOM 
 WAfcl). KiitomologUt 
 
 in: v^r vi; vi. i h 
 
 i . ii. < in i n 
 
 INTRODUCTORY 
 
 ettlers 
 
 \ -|>:l! :lL r ll> WBS i III l< M I Hit. 1 lllto tlll> < « H 1 1 1 1 I" \ \\ 1 1 
 
 from Euroj)e, and is credited 
 with having been cultivated 
 here for two hundred years 
 before being troubled with 
 insects. 
 
 Several species of native 
 American insects have been 
 observed to feed upon this 
 plant, but none, so far as we 
 know, has become sufficiently 
 attached to it to cause se- 
 rious injur}'. I-Vw of our 
 edible plant-, in short, down 
 t.i the time of the civil war 
 have enjoyed such immunity 
 from the ravages of insects. 
 
 In the ( )lil World two in- 
 sects, called asparagus bee- 
 tles, have been known as 
 enemies of the asparagus 
 since early times. In the 
 \ ear 1862 one of these insects, 
 the common asparagus beetle 
 L.) was 
 the occasion of considerable 
 alarm on asparagus farms in 
 Queens County. N. Y.. where 
 it threatened to destroy this, 
 one of the most valuable crops grown on Long Island. Subsequent 
 
 Fio. 1 Spraj ol asparagus, with comm. 
 
 I>nr:. . mpara 
 
 Up at right, m.I Injury. 
 
 ID). 
 
 ier account* of these Insects have been published i» earlier yeai 
 follows: Yearbook fj. 8, Dept. Agric. f. 1896 (1897), pp. 841 382; Bui. 10, Dir. 
 Knt.. IT. s. Dept. Agrlc, pp. 54 69, 1898; Bui. 88, Pt I. Bur. Bat-, U. 8. 
 
 Airri... pp. .". 1". ; 
 
 (42 Car. 102 OS 
 
inquiry developed the fact thai the species had begun its destructive 
 work at Astoria, near New York City, in I860, where, it is now 
 conceded, it was introduced about 1856." 
 
 In 1881 another European importation was detected on asparagus 
 near Baltimore, Md. — the twelve-spotted asparagus beetle (CriocerU 
 duodecimpunctata L.), sometimes called the "red'* asparagus beetle 
 to distinguish it from the "blue" species. 
 
 THE COMMON ASPARAGUS BEETLE. 
 
 (Crioceris asparagi I., i 
 
 From the seat of it- introduction at Astoria. X. Y.. the common 
 asparagus beetle soon spread to the asparagus farms of Queens 
 County. X. V.. and by 1S<'»2 was reported to have occasioned the lo- 
 ot' over a third of the crops in certain localities, 
 the loss being estimated at $50,000. 
 
 Injury is due to the Avork of both adults and 
 g-gf^ larva' upon the tender shoots, which they render 
 P^VQP '' A P| unfit for market early in the season. Later they 
 I^Rn . J destroy by defoliation the high-grown plants. 
 
 ^m |( particularly seedlings, the roots of which are 
 W U M J weakened by having their tops devoured. The 
 larva? are sometimes so abundant that the black 
 molasses-like fluid which they emit from their 
 mouth- soils the hands of those engaged in bunch- 
 ing the -talks for market : anil the ('ISil> are some- 
 time- laid upon the stalks in such number- that 
 the latter are rendered unsightly and even slip- 
 pery by their presence. Larva', as well as beetle-. 
 attack the tenderest portions of the plants, but the beetles gnaw with 
 seemingly equal relish the epidermis, or rind, of the stem-. The 
 beetle- are also accused of gnawing young shoots beneath the surface, 
 causing them to become woody and crooked in growth. 
 
 In some localities it is in establishing new beds that the greatest 
 trouble and expense are incurred. The plants must grow a year as 
 seedlings and two more in the beds before being cut for table use, and 
 during these three year- they are constantly exposed to the attack- of 
 this insect. 
 
 The beetle is a beautiful creature, slender and graceful in form, 
 blue-black in color, with red thorax, and with lemon-yellow and 
 
 Fig. 2. — Common as- 
 paragus beetle I Cri- 
 oceris asparagi i : ". 
 Dark form of bee- 
 tle : b, light form. 
 Enlarged (author's 
 illustration). 
 
 The rapture of this species was recorded early in the past century in Penn- 
 sylvania — presumably near Hanover — and again in the vicinity of Chicago and 
 Rock Island. III., about ten years after the discovery on Long Island: but. as the 
 insect diil not obtain a permanent foothold, but died out in these localities, 
 these importations can not be considered introductions. 
 [Cir. 102] 
 
dark-blue wing covers having :i reddish border. A c mon form 
 
 aboul the District of Columbia is illustrated in fig. •"•. a. Farther 
 north the prevailing form i- darker, the lighter coloring 3ometimee 
 showing onh as a reddish border and six small submarginal yellow 
 spots (fig. 2, \.n extreme, light form nol uncommon in the south 
 
 (in range "i the insect is shown (fig. 2, 6) for comparison. The 
 length i- ;i trifle less than one fourth inch. 
 
 ii rsTom "i bpri u>. 
 
 From tin- -rciic of its firsl colonization in Queens County, the 
 insecl migrated to the other truck growing portions of Long [sland. 
 1 1 -i ><»ii reached southern Connecticut, and has no^ extended it - range 
 northward through that State and Massachusetts to the State line of 
 N ■• Hampshire, Southward ii has traveled through NeM Jersey, 
 where ii was firsl noticed in l s, ''S. eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, 
 and Maryland to southern Virginia and North Carolina. 
 
 It- distribution by natural means has been mainly by the flight of 
 the beetles. Undoubtedly, also, the beetles have been transported 
 from place to place by water, both up and down stream by rising 
 and falling tide, as the fact that it has nol until recently deviated far 
 from the immediate neighborhood of the seacoasl and of large water 
 courses near the coast bears abundant testimony. 
 
 Another reason for the prevalence of this species in these localities 
 i- that asparagus was originally a maritime plant and has escaped 
 from cultivation and grown most luxuriantly in the vicinity of bodies 
 of water. It is well known thai it i- usually upon wild plant- that 
 these insects first make their appearance in new localities. There is 
 evidence also that their disseminat i < > 1 1 may be effected by what I >octor 
 Howard has termed a "commercial jump," either by commerce in 
 propagating root-, among which the insects may be present either 
 as hibernating beetles or as pupa', or by the accidental carriage of 
 the hectic- i>n railmad train- or boats. 
 
 B) some such artificial mean- the asparagus beetle had round its 
 way to northwestern New York, between Koine and Buffalo, and to 
 Ohio, between Cleveland and the Pennsylvania State line. During 
 1896 it- course was trace. I along the Hudson River above Albany. 
 
 [nquiry concerning the Ohi icurrence disclosed the fad that the 
 
 plant- in one locality were brought from New York. The presence 
 of this insecl in eastern Massachusetts at about the same time was in 
 like manner probably due to direct shipments of root- from infested 
 localities to Boston and vicinity. 
 
 It i- noticeable that up to this time it- inland spread, except in the 
 neighborhood of water, had been extremely limited. 
 [Or. 102] 
 
DISTRIB1 llnN IN L908. 
 
 This species is presenl now in what is known as the Upper Austral 
 life zone, although in certain point- in New England it has Located 
 in what is considered the Transition zone. Its course up the Hudson 
 River lies within a rather narrow strip of Upper Austral. In all 
 probability it is destined in time to overspread the entire Upper 
 Austral zone and to make its way to some extent into neighboring 
 areas in which it may find conditions for its continuance. 
 
 Its distribution in Massachusetts, though wide, is local. In New 
 Hampshire it has been recorded from Nashua and Portsmouth. It 
 is possible that in a few years it may be able to encroach slightly upon 
 the bordering States of Vermont, in the vicinity of the Connecticut 
 River Valley, and Maine, near the New Hampshire seaboard. It is 
 well established in Connecticut, occurs in Rhode Island, and is gen- 
 erally distributed through New Jersey. Delaware, and Maryland, 
 and in southeastern Pennsylvania near the Delaware River. It was 
 predicted by the writer that, although this species in 189G was still 
 local in New York and Ohio, we might expect within a few years 
 to hear of its invading other portions of those States lying within 
 the Upper Austral zone: Canada, of which there is a strip of 
 Upper Austral bordering the northern shore of Lake Erie: and. 
 later, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and States farther west. By 
 l!S!)7 the species had occupied the strip bordering the southern shore 
 of Lake Erie, being recorded from nine counties of eastern Ohio. 
 The following year it was noticed in western Virginia. In 1898 it 
 was reported from Benton Harbor. Mich., where, however, it had 
 been present since 1896. By 1899 it had appeared in Canada in the 
 Niagara River region and was accompanied by the twelve-spotted 
 species. The insect obviously received more or Less severe setbacks in 
 succeeding years, but by 1904 the common form was observed about 
 Toronto, Canada, and about 4 miles west of Chicago. 111. It has 
 now become very generally distributed in the asparagus-growing sec- 
 tions of New York State, having reached Glens Falls, its northern- 
 most recorded limit in the United States. In Ohio the species has 
 been established near Columbus since l ( .Hi:'>. and near Cincinnati since 
 1905. but has not been reported from Kentucky or Indiana, although 
 it has probably invaded the latter State. 
 
 In 1904 the occurrence of this insect at Bouldin Island. California, 
 was reported, but the following year it could not be found. Its dis- 
 appearance was attributed to the fact that the island had been flooded. 
 causing the death of the pest. In 1906, however, the beetle was 
 reported in abundance near Oakley. Cal. 
 
 In North Carolina the species is well established in the east-central 
 part, including portions of "Wake. Wayne. Warsaw, and Duplin coun- 
 [Cir. 102] 
 
ties. The species has also been reported in Wisconsin, bul nothing 
 has I'irii learned regarding ii- actual distribution in thai State. 
 
 ii m'.i rs \ \i> i ii i ii i-ii >m . 
 
 The common asparagus beetle passes the winter in the adull state 
 under convenient shelter, such as piles of rubbish, sticks, or stones, 
 or under the loose bark of trees and fence 
 posts. Toward the end of April or in May, 
 according i" locality, al about the season for 
 
 immon as] newly 
 
 batched i; •. pupa. All enlarged (author's Illustration). 
 
 cutting til*- asparagus for market, the beetles issue from their hiber- 
 nating quarters and lay the eggs for the firsl brood. 
 
 The egg is very large in proportion to the beetle, being nearly a 
 sixteenth of an inch in length, and of the elongate-oval form illus- 
 trated ;ii b i fig. 3). 1 1 is nearly three times as long ;i- wide and of a 
 dark-brown color. The eggs are deposited endwise upon the stem or 
 foliage and in early spring on the developing 
 (stalks, usually in rows of •_' to 7 or more i fig. t ). 
 
 In from three to eight day- the eggs hatch, 
 the young larva?, commonly called "grubs" or 
 u worms," presenting the appearance indicated 
 in fig. 3, - . The head of the newly hatched larva 
 is large, black, and bead-like; its body is gray; 
 and its three pair- of legs, Marl,. Ii al once be- 
 gins to feed, and is from ten day- to a fortnight, 
 according to Fitch and others, in attaining full 
 size. When full grown the larva appears as in 
 fig. 3, d. Ii is soft and fleshy, much wrinkled, 
 and of a dark grav or olive color, some! imes light, 
 
 • 
 
 Km not infrequently very dark. The head is shining black, as are also 
 the six legs. Each segment is proi ided with a pair of foot-like tuber- 
 cles, which, with the anal proleg, assist it in crawling and in clinging 
 
 to th«' plant. The mature larva enter- the earth, ami here, within a 
 little rounded, dirt -covered COCOOn which it form-, the pupa -tate i- 
 Li'ir. 102] 
 
 - 
 
 -• rial). 
 
assumed. The pupa is yellowish in color, and its appearance is suffi- 
 ciently shown by the illustration (fig. '■'>. e). In five to eight or more 
 days the adult beetle is produced, which in due time issues from the 
 
 ground. 
 
 THE LIFE CYCLE. 
 
 Of the duration of the life cycle Fitch has remarked that it is about 
 thirty days from the time the egg is laid until the insect grows to 
 maturity and comes out in its perfect form, but that the time will be 
 shorter in the hottest part of the season than in the cooler days of 
 May and June. These periods are for Long Island. 
 
 During a hot spell in midsummer the minimum period of ovulation 
 and of the pupa stage was observed at Washington, D. C. Eggs that 
 were laid on the 5th of A.UgUSt hatched on the 8th, or in three days. 
 A larva transformed to pupa on August 4 and to adult August 9. or 
 in five days. Allowing ten days as the minimum credited period of 
 the larval stage, a day or two for the larva to enter the ground and 
 form its cocoon, and two or three days more for the beetle to mature 
 and leave the earth, the insect i- again ready to attack it- food plant 
 and to continue the reproduction of its kind in about three weeks 
 from the time that the egg is laid. 
 
 This may be fairly taken to represent the minimum midsummer 
 life-cycle period of the species in the District of Columbia and south- 
 ward. In the colder climate of Xew England, ami elsewhere in spring 
 and autumn weather, the development from cg<x to beetle will require 
 from four to perhaps -even week-. The hibernating beetles appear 
 in the latitude of the District of Columbia as early as April, and 
 beetles of a later brood have been observed in abundance in October 
 as far north as northern Connecticut. In its northern range two and 
 perhaps three broods are usually produced, and farther south there 
 is a possibility of four or five generations each year. 
 
 NATURAL CHECKS. 
 
 The common asparagus beetle has very efficient natural checks in 
 the shape of predaceous insects of many kinds, which prey upon it> 
 larva' and assist very materially in preventing its increase. One of 
 the most efficient of these is the spotted ladybird, Megitta n>(t<i<Litn 
 DeG. The beetle is rose-colored, with numerous black spots. The 
 convergent ladybird (Hippodamia convergent Guer.), the spined 
 soldier-bug (Podisus niacidiventris Say), and the bordered sol- 
 dier-bug (Stiretrus anchorago Fab., fig. 5) are also active de- 
 stroyers of asparagus beetle larvae, which they attack and kill by 
 impaling them upon their long proboscides and .-licking out their 
 juices. Certain specie- of wasps and .-mall dragon-flies also prey 
 upon the asparagus beetle grubs. Two of the most abundant of 
 
 [fir. 102] 
 
these are Foliates pallipes Lep. and Ischnura (Xehalennia) posita 
 Hagen. These insects hover about the infested plants until a larva 
 is descried, when the} pounce upon it and carry it away. 
 
 Asparagus beetles are ver} susceptible to sudden changes of tern- 
 perat ure, and it has been frequently noticed b) Mr. C. W. Prescott, of 
 Concord, Ma--., thai immense numbers of the hibernating beetles are 
 killed in winter during severely cold spells following " open ■" weather, 
 millions of their dead bodies being sometimes found under bark and 
 in other hiding places. 
 
 The intense heat that prei ailed al times during the summer of 189G, 
 especially during the first two week- of August, though conducive to 
 
 the undue propagation of some forms of insects, had tl pposite 
 
 effect upon certain species that Iced in the larval condition freely ex 
 posed upon the plants. In the vicinity of the District of Columbia 
 this was particularly not iceable in the case of the larva? of this aspara 
 
 Ni IS 
 
 I-,,, 5 Bordered BoldJi Uirctrui anchorago) : a, Adull bug; '<. last si 
 
 of nymph. BoUi enlarged lanthor's II lustra I 
 
 gus hectic. It- eggs also seemed to be 'hied up by the heat. What 
 with the decimation caused by their natural enemies and the heat. 
 scarcely a beetle or larva was to be found that year after the last of 
 August. 
 
 KEHEDIl S. 
 
 Fortunately, the common asparagus beetle is not difficult of control, 
 and ordinarily may be held in restraint by the simplest mean-. 
 
 Hand-picking i- of value in small beds but must of necessity give 
 way to more approved methods for the vast numbers of the beetles 
 that concentrate their forces upon the large area- devoted to this 
 crop in the suburbs of our large cities. 
 
 Chickens and ducks arc efficient destroyers of asparagus beetles, 
 and as they do no injury to the plant their services are -till in requi- 
 sition for this purpose at the present day. 
 
 ICir. 102] 
 
8 
 
 Cultural practices. — A practice in high favor among prominent 
 asparagus growers is to cut down all plants, including seedlings and 
 
 volunteer growth, in early spring, so as to force the parent beetle- to 
 deposit their eggs upon new -hoots, which are then cut every few days 
 before the egg- have time to hatch for the first new brood. 
 
 Other measures that have been employed with advantage consist in 
 cutting down the seed Mcnis after the crop has been harvested, and 
 again once or twice during the cutting season, or in permitting a por- 
 tion of the shoots to grow and serve a- lure- for the beetles. Here 
 these may be killed with insecticides, or the plants, after they become 
 covered with egg-, may be cut down and burned, and other shoots 
 allowed to grow up as decoys. The trap plant- should be destroyed 
 a- often a- once a week. 
 
 With conceited action on the part of growers in following out any 
 of these last methods the in-ects may be held in check, at lea-t in 
 a region where asparagus doe- not grow wild in too great profusion. 
 Where this is not practicable, insecticide- must be brought into serv- 
 ice. It is well in any case to employ insecticide- after the cutting 
 season, since if the insects are destroyed at this time their number- 
 will be lessened for the next year. 
 
 Lime. — One of the best remedies against the larva' i- fresh, air- 
 slaked lime, dusted on the plants in the early morning while the dew 
 is on. It quickly destroys all the grub- with which it come- in 
 contact. 
 
 Pyrethrum i- credited with being useful, and a mixture of -oft 
 soap, quassia decoction, and water (about equal parts of the first two 
 to .") of the la-t named) is effective against the larvae; but these 
 remedies hardly commend themselves for extensive use. 
 
 Arsenicals. — The arsenicals, applied dry mixed with Hour, a- for 
 potato beetles, answer well: they possess the advantage of destroying 
 beetles as well a- grub-, and are of value upon plant- that are not 
 being cut for food. Some use a mixture of Pari- green and air- 
 slaked lime, or plaster. *2 pounds of the former to a barrel of the 
 latter. To produce satisfactory results the lime or arsenical must 
 be applied at frequent intervals, or as often as the larva- reappear 
 on the beds. 
 
 Arsenate of lead has given excellent results. This insecticide has 
 come into very general use in recent years for the control of leaf-feed 
 ing beetles, such as the potato beetles and asparagus beetles. In Con- 
 necticut Dr. W. E. Britton tested it on asparagus, spraying the plants 
 from all four sides in succession because of the slight leaf exposure 
 a- compared with most other forms of plants. Good results followed. 
 The same amount of benefit should be accomplished with scarcely 
 greater expense by spraying from opposite sides and repeating this 
 
 [Cir. 102] 
 
before the beetles of the last generation develop or mi least in time 
 in destroy them before thej get into winter quarters. In Pennsyl 
 vania Prof. II. A. Surface n ia • l<- :i comparative test "I tin- value of 
 
 Paris green and arsenate <>i lead, learning that nol re than ■•" 
 
 per cent of tin' insects were killed when Paris green and lime were 
 used, while 90 per cent were killed with arsenate of lead. In a third 
 experiment, in winch resin — « »: » | » \\:i- added to make the latter in 
 cide adhere more » l< >-•• 1 \ ti> the plants, all of the insects were killed <»ii 
 50 plant- treated. In tin- case the arsenate <>!' lead was used at the 
 rate of 1 pound to _l gallons of water, ami 2j pounds of resin soap 
 was added t" render the mixture more adhesive. 
 
 In the North, where these experiments were made, they were begun 
 the first <>f June. Arsenate of lead has been used with satisfactory 
 results "ii asparagus at the rate of l pound in IC gallons of water, 
 Inn some additional experiments arc necessary i<> ascertain the exact 
 amount of the poison thai can In- used economically to produce the 
 required result. In ordinary weather a second spraying of arsenate 
 of lead with a resin soap added i- desirable, especially if rainfall 
 intervenes. 
 
 Moic specific information in regard to the method of preparing 
 and applying arsenate of lead i- given in Circular No. s ~. winch maj 
 be obtained gratis on application. 
 
 Everything considered, injury by tin- species is most noticeable 
 when the beetles are working on the asparagus tips at the time they 
 
 ate being cut for f 1 or market, a- more fully described on paj 
 
 It i-. of course, impossible t<> apply arsenicals to the edible product 
 owing to the danger of poisoning human beings. About all that can 
 he done ai this time i- to cut a- frequently a- possible, but after the 
 cutting season is over the arsenicals may be freely used in accordance 
 with the direction- already given. 
 
 The brushing method. A simple ami inexpensive method of kill- 
 ing the larva' in hot weather i- to heat or brush them from the plants 
 with a -tick so that they will drop to the hare ground.. The larvae 
 are delicate creature-, and. a- they crawl \er\ -lowly. |V\\ arc able 
 to regain shelter of the plants, bul die when exposed to the heated 
 earth. The same method is in use against the pea aphis. 
 
 THE TWELVE-SPOTTED ASPARAGUS BEETLE. 
 [Crioceris duodceim punctata L.) 
 
 A rarer, and consequently less injurious species than the pre- 
 ceding i- the twelve-spotted asparagus hectic. It i- generally dis- 
 tributed in Europe, where it i- apparently native and. although 
 common, not especially destructive. Like the preceding, it lives ex- 
 clusively on asparagus, and the chief damage it doe- i- due to the 
 [Cir. 102] 
 
10 
 
 depredations of the hibernated beetles in early spring upon the young 
 and edible asparagus shoots. Later generations attack the foliage, 
 living, for at least a considerable portion of the larval stage, within 
 the ripening berries. 
 
 • INTRODl CTION AM) SPREAD IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 The presence of this bisect in America, as lias been stated, was first 
 
 discovered in 1881. and in the vicinity of Baltimore, Md. This 
 beetle was noticed in considerable numbers from the first, showing 
 that it had probably been introduced several years earlier. At that 
 time it was quite local, occurring- only at the mouth of the Furnace 
 Branch of the Patapsco River at a point a few miles south of Balti- 
 more. It was then seen only on volunteer asparagus growing on the 
 salty margin of this river, although beds of cultivated asparagus were 
 plentiful in the immediate vicinity. Two years later it had proved 
 even more troublesome than the common asparagus beetle. 
 
 Assuming Baltimore to have been the original center of distribu- 
 tion, the twelve-spotted asparagus beetle has been traced southward 
 through Anne Arundel and Prince George counties to the District of 
 Columbia, where it was detected live years from the time of it- first 
 discovery. 
 
 In 1892 it was reported to have appeared in considerable numbers 
 on asparagus stalk- that had been cut down upon a farm in Carroll 
 County. Md. The same year its appearance was announced in Glou- 
 cester County, in southern New Jersey, and the following year in 
 Cumberland and Camden counties of the same State. To have 
 reached these points the insect, obviously, had traversed the inter- 
 vening territory in Maryland, the northern half of Delaware, and 
 Salem County. X. J. It was also found to have reached Virginia, 
 near Washington. In 189-1 it had extended northward to Burlington 
 County. X. J., and westward to Philadelphia County, in Pennsyl- 
 vania. The same year it was detected in Queen Anne County. Md.. 
 and near Rochester, X. Y. Two years later it established it -elf in 
 Charles County. Md.. and had penetrated as far south in Virginia 
 a- Westmoreland County. 
 
 In May. 1896, a serious invasion was reported in Prince George 
 County. Md.. where the beetles attacked the young shoots, gnawing 
 ell the heads as soon as they showed above ground, thus entirely unfit- 
 ting the crop for market. 
 
 Nearly every year since, it has been reported in new localities in the 
 United States and Canada until now it is well distributed westward 
 and northward. In 1898 it had become generally distributed in New 
 •Jersey " south of the shale from the Atlantic coast to the Delaware." 
 Next year it was recorded in twelve counties in New York as far west 
 [Clr. 102] 
 
 
II 
 
 .i- Buffalo and in the following years generally throng] t N'\\ York 
 
 State, as also in the Niagara district in Canada. 
 An interesting fact in the occurrence of the asparagus beetles in the 
 ira peninsula was that the two species arrived almost simulta- 
 neously and that the twelve-spotted form was the dominant one. By 
 1902 the latter had ap 
 peared in Connecticut, 
 ii Ni'u I ln\ en, ami later 
 in oilier port inn- uf i hat 
 State, \ rill / h ^ 
 
 4 
 
 hi S< RIP] ION . 1 .11 I lll<- 
 
 roai . wi> ii \ ui rs. 
 
 The mature beetle ri- 
 vals the common species 
 in beauty, Init iiki\ be 
 distinguished by it- 
 much broader elytra and i''< 8 rweive-spotti 
 
 1 ,| ,. |.'. .1 tluodt larva 
 
 orange -red color. 
 
 ■ in of larva 
 
 d 
 
 ond 
 
 o, ''. Knl. i 
 
 Author's illu-i- 
 
 vring cover is marked 
 with six black dots, and 
 the knees and a portion of iln 1 under surface of the thorax are also 
 marked with black (fig. 6, a). The beetle, as ii occurs on the plant 
 when in fruit, very closely resembles at a little distance the ripening 
 asparagus berry. 
 The common asparagus beetle, as is well known, dodges around a 
 stem like a squirrel when disturbed, but the twelve- 
 spotted form appears to trust to ili:_ r lit. taking 
 wing more readily. Both species make a loud 
 creaking sound when handled, by what is called 
 stridulation, produced in the present species by 
 rubbing the tip of the abdomen against the elytra. 
 The full-grown larva i- shown at b (fig. 6). It 
 measures, when extended, three-tenths of an inch 
 i s nun. i. being of aboul the same proportions as 
 the larva of the common species, but is readily 
 separable by it- orange color. The ground color 
 is lii_ r ht yellowish cream with an overlap of ochra- 
 ceous orange which is most pronounced on the ex- 
 terior portion- of the abdominal segments. The 
 head, with the exception of the mouth-part's, is also ochraceous, 
 the thoracic plate is prominent, divided into two parts, and is of a 
 dark-brown color. Enlarged figures of the second abdominal seg- 
 ment of both species are presented at < and d (fig. 6) for comparison. 
 
 [Cir. 102] 
 
 I'll - .. 7 
 
 mpunctaia. Egg, 
 on as 
 ignt leavi 
 risiit : same, en- 
 
 - .1. at loft. iAu- 
 
 - - Illustration, i 
 
12 
 
 In Europe, where this species is native, it is common, but not 
 especially destructive* 
 
 The chief damage is from the work of the hibernated beetles in 
 early spring upon the young and edible asparagus shoots. Later 
 beetles as well as larvae appear to feed exclusively on the berries. 
 The eggs are deposited singly, and apparently by preference, upon 
 old plants, toward the end- of shoots, which, lower down, bear ripen- 
 ing berries, and they are attached along their sides I fig. 7), instead of 
 at one end as with the common species. Soon after the larva hatches 
 it finds its way to an asparagus berry, enters it. ami feeds upon the 
 pulp. In due time it leaves this first berry for another one. and 
 when full growth is attained it deserts its last larval habitation and 
 enter- the earth, where it transforms to pupa and afterwards to the 
 beetle. The life cycle does not differ materially from that of the 
 common species, and there is probably the same number of genera- 
 tions developed, or nearly as many. 
 
 REMEDIES. 
 
 The remedies are those indicated for the common asparagus beetle, 
 with the possible exception of caustic lime and <ome other measures 
 that are directed solely against the larvae of that specie-, hut the 
 habit of the larva of living within the berry places it for that period 
 beyond the reach of insecticides. The collection and destruction of 
 the asparagus berries before ripening might be a solution of the 
 problem, but it is questionable if recourse to this measure would 
 necessary, save in case of an exceptional abundance of the insect. 
 
 Approved : 
 
 James Wilson, 
 
 Secretary of Agriculture. 
 Washington, D. C, April 15, 1908. 
 
 [Cir. 102] 
 
 o 
 
 
 DOCUMENI 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 
 
 3 1262 05252 3320