Garden insects are a work of art
Some garden insect pests are pretty to look at while others are downright ugly. But regardless of looks, they can be pretty damaging.
On the unattractive side, look no further than the Colorado potato bug. The adult stage isn’t too bad with its alternating black and yellow strips on the beetle’s outer wings. It is the immature stage that places this insect in my repulsive category.
The larvae are these pinkish/brown/reddish, hunched-backed, slug-like creatures. Add in a black head and some black spots on their sides and you have a “work of art” that should be trashed.
Regardless of looks, both the adult and the larvae can completely defoliate a plant unless a management strategy is implemented to reduce numbers. Their main host is potato, but they have been known to feed on tomato, eggplant, and peppers.
I would place the asparagus beetles into my attractive column. Both the adult common and spotted beetles, when viewed up close, have some intricate patterns and bright colors.
Penn State’s fact sheet on the common asparagus beetle describes it having a black body with a metallic blue head. On each wing cover there are three rectangular, metallic yellow spots that frequently have red markings along the margin. The larva is just a gray body with a black head.
The adult spotted beetle really stands out. The entire exterior is a bright orange (head, outer wing covering, and legs) and covered with black spots. New gardeners have been known to think they have lady beetles on their asparagus.
While asparagus beetle activity will not kill the plant, it does not make for a very saleable product. The insects in both the immature and mature stages can feed on the spears, creating scar-like damage. Of course, any insect that eats needs to get rid of its body waste. Excrement (known in the insect world as frass) can litter the spear length, causing some discoloration. Also, the female will lay her eggs the length of the spear. While not harmful to eat, the eggs are not typically something that people want to eat. In addition, excessive feeding can cause the spear tip to bend. (Ever see curved asparagus spears sold in the marketplace?) These types of damage by the beautiful asparagus beetle make for one unattractive vegetable.
Unknowingly, we eat insects every day. Per USDA Food Defect Action Levels, canned or frozen asparagus is only rejected when 10 percent by count of spears or pieces are infested with six or more attached asparagus beetle eggs.
Who knows what we are eating fresh. Don’t worry, it is just a little added protein to the family meal.
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Tom Butzler is a horticulture educator with the Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension Service and may be reached at 570-726-0022.
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