The Asparagus Beetle

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The Asparagus Beetle
Online Pest Control
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The Asparagus Beetle
What Is The Asparagus Beetle
The asparagus beetle, as its name suggests, is a
pest that affects asparagus plants.
This beetle is also known as the common asparagus
beetle (Crioceris asparagi) and is sometimes
mistaken for a closely related species of beetles
called the spotted asparagus beetle.
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The Asparagus Beetle
Frequented Areas of The Asparagus Beetle
Asparagus beetles can frequently be
found within home gardens. These plant-eating
pests devour sections of the asparagus plant upon
which they feed. Gardeners will most likely see
the common asparagus beetle emerging from
underneath old asparagus plants or any other form
of organic debris during early spring. These
insects will then begin feeding on the spears of
asparagus plants.
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The Asparagus Beetle
Frequented Areas of The Asparagus Beetle
Asparagus beetles are common in many parts of the
United States and North America in general.
They are also known to affect gardens throughout
the world where asparagus is grown.
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The Asparagus Beetle
Identification Physical Characteristics of
Asparagus Beetles
Once youve seen an asparagus beetle, youll be
able to identify telltale physical
characteristics that distinguish this beetle from
all other beetles. The asparagus beetle has a
body that is fairly oval in shape, measuring
about ¼ inch in length. Its body is dark,
almost bluish-black with six cream colored spots.
These spots are distributed in pairs, two in each
row.
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The Asparagus Beetle
Identification Physical Characteristics of
Asparagus Beetles
Their heads are also clearly visible, with a pair
of antennae extending for a few millimeters.
Most have a pattern of red surrounding the edges
of their wing covers. Unlike adult asparagus
beetles, their larvae look like worms with gray
bodies and black heads. The eggs of these insects
are dark brown in color.
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The Asparagus Beetle
Special Characteristics Of The Asparagus Beetle
A special characteristic of this beetle relates
to their love of asparagus plants. Larvae will
begin the feeding process on the fern of the
plants and migrate across the spears, feeding as
they go along. The beetles are known to cause
serious damage when compared to similar pests
like the spotted asparagus beetle.
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The Asparagus Beetle
Removal Of The Asparagus Beetle
If youve planted asparagus in your home garden,
consider the many options available that will
help protect your asparagus plants from asparagus
beetles. This will involve physical, cultural,
and biological control methods.
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The Asparagus Beetle
Removal Of The Asparagus Beetle

• Check plants regularly for signs of asparagus
  eggs, larvae, or adult beetles. In cases where
  eggs are present, crush them to prevent them from
  developing into larvae or adults.
• This is necessary as the larvae and adult beetles
  result in the most damage to your asparagus
  plants.

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The Asparagus Beetle
Removal Of The Asparagus Beetle

• Handpick these insects from plants, especially if
  you notice the worm-like larvae crawling along
  fern, flower buds or the spear of the asparagus
  plant.
• Place larvae and adult asparagus beetle in a pail
  containing soapy water. This will ensure the
  pests do not escape.
• The soapy solution containing dishwashing liquid,
  for instance, is an effective DIY insecticide
  which you can also use to spray your asparagus
  plants.

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The Asparagus Beetle
Removal Of The Asparagus Beetle

• Brush plants gently with a small broom to remove
  the larvae. The pests at this stage will find it
  difficult to make their way back to the plant and
  will eventually die.
• Employ proper sanitation practices within
  your home garden. This includes removing dead
  asparagus stems as adult asparagus beetle usually
  hide beneath this and other plant debris during
  the winter.
• By removing leaf litter and other forms of plant
  debris, youll be able to reduce the number of
  pests that emerge during springtime.

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The Asparagus Beetle
Removal Of The Asparagus Beetle

• Introduce lady beetle larvae or parasitic wasps
  into your garden.
• This means of biological control is effective as
  these insects consume or kill the eggs and larvae
  of asparagus beetles.

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The Asparagus Beetle
Removal Of The Asparagus Beetle
Chemical insecticides are also available for the
control of asparagus beetles. However, these
should be used only after consulting a
professional pest management, as insecticides can
have adverse effects on beneficial insects
present in your garden.
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The Asparagus Beetle
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