Asparagus beetle

In case you hadn't noticed we have a major Asparagus beetle problem at the allotments (Pictures below of some larvae and adults seen on the allotment recently). Here are a few resources to fight back!

How to fight Asparagus Beetles Excellent article by Saffyre Falkenberg.

Points 1-4 and 7-8 are worth trying.

For insecticides please only use when asparagus is not flowering as they also affect the bees that pollinate our crops and particularly the bumble bees you will see covered in bright orange asparagus pollen as they appear to love this plant!

My personal regimen uses some of the articles points:

• Point 1&2: Clear the beetles by hand early in the season (well my daughter does by picking them off and squashing them)
• Point 7: Use Bug Clear as infrequently as possible to control them if they become a major issue in the months before flowering
• Stop spraying when flowers appear but continue to remove eggs and larvae (dropping them to the floor is sufficient)
• Point 8: Take all stems of the plant home to the garden waste bin. Stalks left on site overwinter the bug.