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Common Asparagus Beetle: Crioceris asparagi

Spotted Asparagus Beetle: Crioceris duodecimpunctata

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        Both Asparagus Beetles are ¼ inch long with with oval shaped bodies. Common asparagus beetles are black or dark blue with six cream colored spots on its back. Spotted Asparagus beetles are orange with 12 black spots on its back.

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        Both asparagus beetles feed exclusively on asparagus plants. They feed on the spears, which can cause browning and scarring that can lead to a bend. The spears become deformed and stained. Larvae feed on the berry of the female plants. Most damage occurs during the spring, where there are fresh, new plants that are vulnerable. These beetles can stunt their growth and decrease yield.

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        Predators of asparagus beetles include ducks, chickens, house sparrows, eastern kingbirds, coleomegilla maculata, hippodamia convergens, poecilus lucublandus, pterostichus melanarius, harpalus pennsylvanicus, harpalus erraticus, collops quadrimaculatus, Podisus maculiventris,  Stiretrus anchorago, Nabis rufusculus, Sinea diadema, Polistes fuscatus, damselfly, Ischnura positum, and lacewing, and Chrysopa oculata. (Ladybugs, convergent lady beetle, damselfly, lacewing, spined assassin bug, spined soldier bug)