Re: Asparagus

Asparagus beetles can destroy the early shoots and also defoliate the
ferns.  They, slugs and cabbage maggots are the only pests I have to
deal with on a regular basis.

Steve 

Grem, Beth A wrote:
> 
> I plan on putting an asparagus bed in this year.  How destructive are the
> beetles?  How many generations per year?  Since Southern Maryland seems to
> have every variety of bad bug, I'm assuming I'll have 'em.
> 
> Beth (MD zone 7)
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rene M. Lipshires [r*@ibm.net]
> Sent: Sunday, January 17, 1999 9:12 AM
> To: veggie-list@eskimo.com
> Subject: Re: Asparagus
> 
> When picking the beetles, i carry a plastic bottle of soap solution, and
> drop them right in there.  I keep the plastic bottle near the asparagus bed,
> and collect the beetles/larva every morning.  When the bottle gets "full"
> (not a pretty sight, mind you), I empty the bottle into the compost pile,
> and refill.  I tried this technique this past year, and worked pretty well.
> 
> I do the same for colorado beetles on potato plants, although they tend to
> be more difficult to "catch".
> 
> Rene.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Edward Tucker <edwardt@sonic.net>
> To: veggie-list@eskimo.com <veggie-list@eskimo.com>
> Date: Sunday, January 10, 1999 11:12 AM
> Subject: Re: Asparagus
> 
> >One trick in hand picking that worked well for me was to place one hand
> >under the beetle, and reach for it with the other. When they see your
> >movement they drop from the plant right into your other hand.
> >
> >
> >Ed Tucker
> >edwardt@sonic.net
> >Santa Rosa, Ca.
> >
> >
> >On Sun, 10 Jan 1999, Neason wrote:
> >
> >> Nick Day wrote:
> >> >
> >> > Steve wrote...
> >> >
> >> > > Also, asparagus beetles can be a problem early in the season.  I
> >> > > hand-pick the adults but you have to develop the technique as they
> drop
> >> > > to the ground or fly away at the slightest disturbance.  The larvae
> are
> >> > > like grey slugs, but not slimy.  If hand-picking bothers you, use
> >> > > rotenone on them.  By June the ladybugs usually are quite activly
> eating
> >> > > the larvae and I don't worry about it after that.  (Note that a
> ladybug
> >> > > larva looks like a tiny grey dragon.  Don't confuse the ladybug larva
> >> > > for an asparagus beetle larva and pinch or spray it.  The ladybug
> larvae
> >> > > eat the asparagus beetle larvae.)
> >> >
> >> > Good advice, Mr. Maritime.
> >> >
> >> > I often wonder how many people kill their ladybird larvae, thinking
> they are
> >> > something nasty. Anyone using a Mac might like to seek out my
> Insecticons --
> >> > icons of insects, real and imaginary; these include a picture of a
> ladybird
> >> > larva. They are on most shareware sites, so you'll find them quite
> easily
> >> > from a search engine.
> >> >
> >> > Rather than picking off the asparagus beetle larvae, I squash them by
> hand
> >> > in situ which is faster.
> >> >
> >> > Cheers,
> >> >
> >> > Nick
> >>
> >> Nick,
> >>
> >> That's essentially what I meant by a "technique" for hand picking.  But
> >> you must approach the beetle such that your shadow does not fall on it.
> >> Catching them "in the act" is always satisfying, too, because you know
> >> you got a female then.
> >>
> >> Steve  (Maritime...)
> >>
> >
> >
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