Asparagus beetle

The Asparagus beelte (Crioceris asparagi) is a genus of the family Chrysomelidae of beetles. Bright red, cream and dark blue coloured beetles, oval shaped and about 1cm (½in) long. They will be feeding or laying eggs on asparagus spears and fronds. Larvae are grey coloured hump-backed grubs with black heads and three pairs of short legs. They will usually be found feeding on the fronds. The tiny dark coloured eggs are laid pointing away from the plant tissue.

Symptoms
Stems are eaten - leaves are stripped. Beetly is easily recognisable.

Organic
Regularly inspect plants and hand pick adults and larvae from the spears and fronds. Remove old dead stems and dispose of them to prevent adults over-wintering.

Chemical
Spray with pyrenthrins or derris at first sign of attack.

Prevention
Inspect spears as soon as they emerge for adults mating and laying eggs. Wipe away any eggs from the spears. Remove any old plant debris around the base of plants to prevent larvae pupating.