Vegetables: Leaves

Asparagus Beetles

Common or striped  (see above photo) asparagus beetle: This is the more common beetle feeding on asparagus spears and ferns. The ¼ inch long adults emerge from overwintering sites in and around the garden in early spring and feed on emerging spears. The adults have colourful orange and blue-black markings. After mating, very small black eggs are inserted into the spears and the small gray larvae that emerge and begin feeding on spears. There are multiple generations each year and populations can reach high levels leading to severe loss of spears and foliage.

Spotted asparagus beetle: This beetle has orange wing covers with 12 spots. Their larvae are also orange. Mainly a pest of the older asparagus cultivars that produce berries (newer all-male hybrids produce no fruit) because the larvae feed on the berries.

Management: Handpick adults and larvae or control with a botanical insecticide (neem, pyrethrum). Cut spears quickly after they reach eating size, and clean up all plant debris and weeds at the end of the season to remove over-wintering sites.

Keywords: asparagus beetles, beetles eating asparagus, asparagus beetle, asparagus

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Photo Gallery

Feeding damage and eggs on asparagus spears.

Asparagus beetle larva.

Spotted asparagus beetle.

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