Asparagus beetle

Asparagus beetle is one of about 250 species of leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae) found in Britain, they range in size from 1 mm to 18 mm. The family contains many metallic and attractive species and all feed on plants (herbivores).

Both the colourful adult and grey larval stages of asparagus beetle eat the foliage of asparagus, they can also gnaw bark

Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants. from stems, causing growth above the point of damage to dry up.

• The adult beetles are 6-8 mm long (about 1/4 in), they are black with six yellow blotches on their wing cases and a reddish thorax
• They can fly and so can reinvade asparagus patches from nearby and from places where it has overwintered
• The adult beetles and their grubs feed on asparagus foliage and bark
  Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants.
• If the bark around the stem circumference has been completely removed, the stem and foliage above dries out and turns yellow brown

• Small populations are unlikely to affect cropping in subsequent years and can be tolerated
• Encourage wildlife in the garden, many animals including birds, frogs and predatory insects such as ground beetles and social wasps will eat the larvae and sometimes adult beetles
• Disposing of old stems at the end of the year may destroy some overwintering beetles
• Check asparagus frequently from spring onwards so action can be taken before a damaging population has developed
• Hand pick the beetles and larvae from plants when seen from late spring onwards
• A biological control is available for asparagus beetle, which contain the nematode Steinernema carpocapsae, suppliers of which can be found in a list of Biological control suppliers

• Asparagus beetles overwinter as adults in sheltered places such as grass tussocks or piles of vegetation. They emerge in May and June and lay elongate black eggs that are attached by one end to the asparagus spears and foliage
• The adult beetles can fly and are very adept at locating patches of asparagus
• The creamy greyish-black larvae reach up to 10 mm long (3/8 in) when fully grown
• They pupate in the soil
• There are two generations between May and September
• In the autumn, adult beetles seek sheltered places where they overwinter