Asparagus Beetles

Order: Coleoptera
Family: Chrysomelidae
Species:
Common asparagus beetle (Crioceris asparagi)
Spotted asparagus beetle (Crioceris duodecimpunctata)

Pests as larva and adults

Appearance

• 1/4-inch long
• Common asparagus beetle: shiny metallic blue-black with yellow and red spots
• Spotted asparagus beetle: reddish-orange with 6 spots per wing cover
• Larvae: olive-gray, hump-backed sluggish grubs

Host plants

• Asparagus

Symptoms

• Chewing on growing tips and ferns
• Brown-black excrement stains and feeding scars on spears
• Brown bullet-shaped eggs on spears

Biology

• Overwinter as adults
• 2-3 generations per year

Control Measures

Physical

• Hand pick and crush

Cultural

• Harvest spears ASAP
• Destroy overwinter plant debris and traps

Biocontrol

• Parasitic wasp

Pesticides

• Check the Database of Pesticides Registered in Idaho (Kelly Database) for pesticides registered in Idaho