Asparagus Beetle

Asparagus Beetle: (Size=1/4 inch)
Two species are common. One is blue-black and common throughout the U.S. The other (shown above) is orange with black spots. Larvae are greenish-gray, hump-backed grubs with dark heads. Adult beetles emerge in early spring to lay numerous shiny, black eggs on spears; eggs hatch out into larvae in about a week. Both adults and larvae feed on developing spears, and later in the season, on ferny foliage. There are two to five generations per year, depending on the part of the country.

Controls:
Handpick adults or knock them into a container of soapy water.

Spray an neem insecticide at the first sign of infestation and again in early fall.

Various birds, ladybug larvae, eat the beetles, their larvae or their eggs.

Clean up plant debris and trash in the garden to reduce the possibility of beetles overwintering.

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