So what can you do to battle the beetle? The beetle is 6.0 mm to 9.5 mm long and slightly elongated. The spotted asparagus beetle is not as destructive to asparagus, but still feeds on it, as I’ll explain a little further on. It should be relatively easy to see these eggs as they visibly jut out from the fern or spear, creating an almost spiky-looking line along it. The eggs of the asparagus beetle are small, brown ovals and will usually be present in abundance. With this, pay attention to the staining or darkening of the color of the buds to determine if it is already a symptom of infestation. Spotted asparagus beetle larvae are typically darker in color than the common asparagus beetle larvae. Shoots often become curved and irregular in shape due to beetle feeding. After a couple weeks of intense feeding, they fall to the grou⦠Spotted asparagus beetle larvae feed more on the berries rather than the ferns of asparagus. Home » Asparagus Beetles: All You Need To Know About The Crioceris Species. Often seen as a pumpkin-colored orange beetle with black spots in the western United States, or a medium to dark red beetle with black spots in the east, it is similar in some regards to a ladybug… until you look at its elongated head and almost feathery-looking antennae. Learn more about where asparagus beetles go during winter and management implications. As long as you do not use any pesticides that are harmful to wasps, this insect will arrive on its own and take up residence nearby. However, it really prefers the berries of the asparagus fern, and so it’s most likely to be found there where all of its nutrition needs are fully met. Colder climates have fewer life cycles. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. This perennial produces delicious spears every year in the spring. The spotted asparagus beetleâs body is similar to that of a ladybugâs, but it has a large, red head. We are continuing our research into asparagus beetle overwintering to learn more this upcoming winter. They have black heads and a slug-like body shape. Ladybugs and lacewings will happily eat the asparagus beetle eggs and stop larvae from being born. Common asparagus beetle larvae are light gray with a black head. Spotted asparagus beetle may also affect some cucurbits. The larvae emerge within a week and begin to move upward as the plant grows, feeding as they go. Their elytra (wing covers) have yellow spots and red borders. Within a week of its appearance, the common beetles begin laying brown eggs in rows of three to eight on the new spears. So what’s happening within fields may be just as important as the types of trees that are nearby. Adults lay shiny black eggs on the spears; the eggs hatch about a week later. Stay tuned to learn more about the research happening in the MSU Vegetable Entomology Lab and Michigan State University Extension! Eggs of the asparagus beetle are most commonly found on the spear. Spotted asparagus beetles should not be confused with beneficial lady beetles. While common asparagus beetles are fixated on only asparagus plants, which makes them a major problem for farmers of the crop, the spotted asparagus beetle has been known on occasion to get a taste for cucurbits. It can occasionally lay eggs on the flowers of these plants, and on occasion the larvae will snack on newly-forming melons or squash. Here is more about our approach. This article contains incorrect information, This article is missing information that I need. Another beetle associated with asparagus is the spotted asparagus beetle. The larvae feed on the tips of asparagus shoots, damaging young plants. The feeding of spotted asparagus beetle larvae on berries does not affect the health of asparagus plants over the long run. Crioceris duodecimpunctata, ‘Spotted Asparagus Beetle’. They range in colour from light-yellow to dark-brown, depending on the age of the egg. These eggs do not develop into larvae during harvest, as ⦠Both types of asparagus beetle inhabit North America, but the spotted asparagus beetle is far more common on the eastern half. October 12, 2020. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Where exactly are these beetles coming from? The asparagus beetle, Crioceris asparagi, and the spotted asparagus beetle, C. duodecimpunctata, may both be found in gardens.In California C. asparagi is more likely to be found. Both work extremely well against most beetles, caterpillars, and a host of other common pests. Spinosad sprays, such as Monterey Garden Insect Spray, can be used quite effectively to control a number of beetles and caterpillars, leaf miners and thrips. A recent Google search for âwhere to buy lacewings and ladybugsâ produced 264,000 results. Carefully slip the soapy water beneath the beetle on the plant, then come down at them from the top. In addition, the larvae of the spotted asparagus beetle will feed inside developing berries and consume foliage. Both are grey-green in coloration, and finding them requires close attention, as they blend in quite well with the foliage of your plants. This information is for educational purposes only. Epic Gardening occasionally links to goods or services offered by vendors to help you find the best products to care for plants. These larvae will feed on the ferns of the asparagus plants for approximately two weeks before dropping to the soil to pupate. Please remember that some insecticides are harmful to bees. Do you grow asparagus, and if so, have you had problems with the asparagus beetle? Asparagus Beetle. Some of these may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if items are purchased. Common asparagus beetle larvae. Eggs are usually found in groups of 3 to 8 oriented in a row and attached by one end to the host plant. Larvae are dark green-gray grubs about 3/4 inch (9 mm) long when full grown. Tell me in the comments! The asparagus beetle likes to overwinter in leaf litter or other debris near its food, sometimes even inside the hollow stems of older asparagus plants. However, be sure to check your plants as you harvest to ensure there are no eggs on the plant or on the stalks you’re cutting. Japanese beetles are a major pest of fruit crops, turf and home gardens, and, since 2009, have become increasingly abundant in west Michigan asparagus fields. We also found that a higher proportion of beetles overwinter within asparagus fields. 26 Cold Frame Plans For Your Winter Garden, 5 DIY Natural Pest Control Recipes for Your Garden, Asparagus beetle, common asparagus beetle, spotted asparagus beetle, Crioceris asparagi, Crioceris duodecimpunctata. Spotted asparagus beetle larvae are typically darker in color than the common asparagus beetle larvae. But there is a down side to growing this phenomenal edible… the asparagus beetle. Lady beetle adults have oval to rounded, dome-shaped bodies with a varying number of spots. While asparagus beetles are horrible to any lover of fresh spring asparagus spears, these tips can help you to keep them at bay and protect your future harvest. Access to the right shelter could increase their survival into spring. Coming at them from the front or the sides seems to give them more warning and they can escape easier, but they don’t seem to see things coming from above as well. As the season progresses, larvae feed on asparagus foliage. After excessive feeding, the plant may appear to be shriveled and stunted. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Both beetles are approximately ¼ inch in length. Asparagus is its only food plant. Most gardeners try to keep everything other than asparagus out of their asparagus beds, including any and all weeds, companion plants, etcetera. Feeding disfigures spears, rendering them unmarketable. These will be either on the spears themselves (for the common asparagus beetle), or on the ferns or flowers (frequented by both types). After all, you don’t want to secure the plants with their natural predator right there! Temperatures can only get so low before beetles begin to die so beetles seek out shelter so they are protected as much as possible from freezing temperatures. The asparagus beetle larvae, pupae or grubs are equally dangerous to the plants easting away at the foliage and spears. As spring comes and the first signs of new asparagus shoot growth occurs, the adult beetle will also emerge from its winter hiding space. If this is the case, you can find what you need on Google or Amazon. Spotted asparagus beetle larvae are orange and adults are reddish orange with six prominent black spots on each wing cover. While it’s generally recommended that you use these options in limited amounts, especially on young asparagus stalks, use of a few spray insecticides can help you kill asparagus beetles and their larvae. The bullet-shaped eggs are laid in rows perpendicular to the stem or fern. Asparagus beetle adults feed on young shoots during the harvest season, chew holes in the shoots, and lay small, dark brown eggs standing on end on the spears. Beneficial nematodes are a great thing to have in your soil! Symptoms The adult beetles are 6-8mm long (about 1/4in), they are black with six yellow blotches on their wing cases and a reddish thorax They also protect against other pupating insects such as potato bugs, fungus gnats, and cutworms. Lacewings and ladybugs find asparagus beetles delicious! Using a soft-bristled brush to knock eggs and larvae off of the plant is generally a good idea, provided that you are careful not to damage the plant. Asparagus beetle larvae are dark, green-gray grubs about 1/3 inch (9 mm) long when fully grown. Photos from: Bugwood.org Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series Injury Both the larvae and the adults damage the asparagus plants. When the eggs hatch, the larvae will be consumed by the young wasps. These microscopic soil organisms will help you by killing the larvae in their pupa beneath the surface of the soil or in leaf litter. insecticides when larvae are first noticed feeding on plants. Adult beetles emerge in early spring after overwintering on old asparagus fronds or in garden debris. A: The problem with companion planting in asparagus beds is that the asparagus itself is a very heavy feeder as a plant. They drop from the plant down into the soil, dig under the surface, and form a cocoon there. Michigan State University Extension will explain what we know, and donât know, about scouting and managing Japanese beetles in asparagus.. Japanese beetles have one generation per year and overwinter as a C-shaped grub in ⦠The larvae of the asparagus beetle are dark gray with a black head. While it will not necessarily kill off the asparagus beetles, neem oil does dissuade them from snacking on your garden. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. Crioceris duodecimpunctata (Spotted Asparagus Beetle) larvae. Larvae of both asparagus beetles are slug-like, and cream-colored or grey with dark heads. Birds love to eat both the adult form and the larvae of asparagus beetles. Adult over-winters in trash around garden. Asparagus beetles undergo a physiological process to prepare their bodies to withstand freezing temperatures during winter. The Vegetable Entomology Lab at Michigan State University is working with Michigan asparagus growers to discover where these beetles choose to overwinter. A quick harvest of spears as soon as they’ve reached a reasonable length is the best way to discourage asparagus beetles, as it cuts short their life cycle. If you’re very sure that you don’t have overwintering asparagus beetles in your soil, you can keep a floating row cover over your plants. Parsley is a great choice in an asparagus bed, especially if you get it started early enough that it surrounds the young spears as they emerge. The tips of the spears themselves may also turn brown. 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