In article ,
says...

Jerome R. Long said:

During April and early May I enjoyed asparagus from an apparently healthy
bed that I planted eight years ago. On May 15, I stopped cutting and left
for a YangXi River Cruise in China. When I returned on June 1, I found my
asparagus had grown to a height of six feet and was totally defoliated.
The stalks were green, but the fern-like limbs were brown. I observed quite
a substantial infestation of a dark colored insect about 1 cm long.
Has my asparagus been struck by a blight or is this the work of the insects
observed?

These are the larvae of the asparagus beetle.

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_hfrr/ext...s/asparagu.htm

THANK YOU


I intend to cut the bed back to the ground, fertilize and see what
happens. Any insights on what happened and what should be done?

The ferns aren't diseased. I wouldn't remove any parts that are still green
as the plant still has use for them. It will throw up new spears.

Strip off any larvae still feeding on the plants (or use a pesticide to kill
them
if that's what you prefer). You can use a whisk broom to brush them off.

Wasps are natural predators of the asparagus beetle. There is a small wasp
which parasitized the larvae. Paper wasps will feed on larvae and carry them
off to their nest. It is also claimed that lady bugs will feed on the eggs
and
young larvae.

Organic controls:
Adult asparagus beetles can be knocked off the growing ferns into a bucket of
soapy water.

Make sure the plants have enough phosphorous. Dust plants with colloidal rock
phosphate or bone meal.

Fall cleanup is essential. Remove all dead fronds and lightly cultivate
around
the base of the plants (don't disturb the crowns or roots).

Neem extract.

Pyrethrin sprays.
--
Pat in Plymouth MI ('someplace.net' is comcast)

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)