confused of chalus Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 This is just the second season of asparagus for us, so we only cropped a few, but now the asparagus is covered in what I have identified as asparagus beetle. What shall I do about it? We wont be cutting any more so shall I just let them eat their fill? And is there any preventative for next year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 I can't see that there is anything to be concerned about, they don't harm the plant and won't affect the spears for eating.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plod Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 We had them last year and have them again this year, I'm afraid they are being squashed as fast as I can manage. Fairly soon there will be hundreds of little grubs all chomping away. How this will "not harm the plant" I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suandpete Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 We have had a few each year for the last three years - we just squash them as we find them and, touch wood, they dont appear to get any worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Fairly soon there will be hundreds of little grubs all chomping away.Is that speculation or a fact? Asparagus in the wild in France has lived like this for hundreds if not thousands of years, it survives. The important part of the plant is the root stock which they do not touch and I find it just about inconceivable that they will eat sufficient leaves to cause any harm to the plant. This type of thing happens with other species, Spindle ermine moth caterpillars will often completely strip all the leaves from the tree - it's not a problem. Still, if you want to spend your time squashing them - why not?Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Don't squash them, just confuse them! After you have finished harvesting, cut back all but one of your asparagus plants in autumn (once they've gone all leafy and pretty, with fruit on) and the grubs will gather on this one, not the others. Just in case they damage the roots. Which I'm not sure they do. But I read it somewhere. They must do something in this world other than destroy asparagus, so work with them! Hope it works, Jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plod Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 If asparagus beetle does not harm plants why do the gardening experts refer to it as a pest? Surely by the autumn the grubs have eaten all the top of the plants? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
confused of chalus Posted May 27, 2009 Author Share Posted May 27, 2009 Jane and Danny - so having coaxed them all onto one plant do I then kill them? I'm really looking forward to next year's first full crop - and would like to avoid all those eggs stuck up the spears. There's more to this vegetable gardening lark than I thought. By the way, has anyone else had trouble germinating carrots this year? Thanks to everyone for their comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Plod, can you link to something with some empirical evidence for your destruction theory? All manner of relatively harmless creatures will be referred to as pests - including blue tits.[;-)]Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonzjob Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Good grief Chris! How on Earth can these be considered a pest? Not very pretty yes, but not a pest!http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/chelseaflowershow/5369423/Unwanted-underwear-donated-at-Chelsea-Flower-Show-for-Hampton-Court-Palace.htmlSorry Christine to pinch your link, but I could NOT resist it [6][6][:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 I found the following on line. They're pretty! I checked in my book that told me to cut down all but one plant - the idea is you 'sacrifice' this one plant by leaving the leaves there so the eggs can be laid on them. In theory, the other plants will grow up in the spring and be unaffected - this, however, seems silly to me - surely the beetles will spread in the springtime, or maybe they're not that adventurous...Anyway, it seems that they can indeed damage the crop - I spotted a few on mine this year, but no damage as yet. I shall keep a close watch next year and just pick them off as and when I see them. Another job for my 6 year-old - he will be busy what with the Colerado beetles and his keep-the-chickens-off-my strawberries duties!Carrots, no, no problem, but my parsnips have been a no-show so far, except for one little survivor. Asparagus beetleCrioceris asparagi Look forBright red, cream and dark blue coloured beetles, oval shaped and about 1cm 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.Plants affectedAsparagusAbout asparagus beetleAdult asparagus beetles are up to 8mm long. Adults appear in mid to late spring as asparagus spears are emerging through the soil. They will mate and lay their dark coloured eggs in small rows on the spears. When the eggs hatch the larvae will initially feed on the tips of spears, but later will migrate to the fronds. They will feed for a few weeks before pupating in cocoons in the soil around the base of the plant or in nearby mulch. There may be two or three generations per year depending on temperature and availability of food. Adults will overwinter in the soil, leaf litter, or in hollow stems of asparagus plants. Feeding by adults and larvae will cause yellow-brown discolouration of the leaves and stems. Large infestations can completely defoliate and eventually kill plants.TreatmentOrganicRegularly 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.PreventionInspect 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plod Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Bit of empirical evidence there - "plant will eventually die." Just like my brassicas devastated by some tiny beetle last year. Do we just sit back and say that it doesn't matter? I don't kill things for the sake of it or because they are small and insignificant but I have to defend my crops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Bit of empirical evidence there - "plant will eventually die." Errr, not quite sure what you mean, that simply looks like a statement you are making but never mind, of course you must defend your crops.So here in my garden is some asparagus, looks good doesn't it? Strong and healthy. Every year it is covered in these little insects which I leave alone and surprise, surprise, up it comes again happy as larry. I guess if you have weak plants or unsuitable conditions you could possibly have a problem but I let nature do the work for me. I would certainly advise against insecticides as various bees including honey bees feed voraciously on asparagus flowers and we all know the problems that bees are facing.[IMG]http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q73/unautremonde/Asparagus.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q73/unautremonde/Asparagus1.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q73/unautremonde/Asparagus-beetle1.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q73/unautremonde/Asparagus-beetle.jpg[/IMG]Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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