Pest identification
What's eating my mary washington asparagus?
Common asparagus beetle (Crioceris asparagi)
Signs: Adults and gray larvae strip foliage from ferns; adults chew and scar emerging spears; plants weaken over successive seasons.
Control: Hand-pick adults, eggs, and larvae daily; apply spinosad or neem oil; cultivate soil in autumn to expose pupae to frost.
Spotted asparagus beetle (Crioceris duodecimpunctata)
Signs: Orange-red larvae feed inside berries; adults nibble fern foliage; less damaging than common asparagus beetle but reduces energy reserves.
Control: Hand-pick; remove and destroy berried fern stems in late summer to break the cycle.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Hollow, slime-coated tunnels into emerging spear tips; cosmetic damage that also opens entry for rot.
Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets around beds at emergence; clear mulch from crowns in early spring to reduce hiding spots.
Rabbits and deer
Signs: Emerging spears nipped cleanly at or just above soil level in spring.
Control: Surround beds with chicken-wire hoops during the 6-week harvest window; deer fencing of at least 8 ft recommended in pressure areas.
Keep mary washington asparagus pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Mary Washington Asparagus pests — FAQ
What is eating my mary washington asparagus?
Asparagus beetle is the primary threat to all Asparagus officinalis varieties, defoliating ferns and reducing crown energy. Slugs attack emerging spears, and cutworms sever spears at soil level. Rabbits and deer browse emerging spears heavily. Hand-pick beetles early; protect with row cover when spears first emerge.
How do I get rid of common asparagus beetle (crioceris asparagi) on mary washington asparagus?
Adults and gray larvae strip foliage from ferns; adults chew and scar emerging spears; plants weaken over successive seasons. Hand-pick adults, eggs, and larvae daily; apply spinosad or neem oil; cultivate soil in autumn to expose pupae to frost.
How do I get rid of spotted asparagus beetle (crioceris duodecimpunctata) on mary washington asparagus?
Orange-red larvae feed inside berries; adults nibble fern foliage; less damaging than common asparagus beetle but reduces energy reserves. Hand-pick; remove and destroy berried fern stems in late summer to break the cycle.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on mary washington asparagus?
Hollow, slime-coated tunnels into emerging spear tips; cosmetic damage that also opens entry for rot. Apply iron phosphate pellets around beds at emergence; clear mulch from crowns in early spring to reduce hiding spots.
How do I get rid of rabbits and deer on mary washington asparagus?
Emerging spears nipped cleanly at or just above soil level in spring. Surround beds with chicken-wire hoops during the 6-week harvest window; deer fencing of at least 8 ft recommended in pressure areas.