Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Vegetable > Asparagus > Ferns chewed
Asparagus > Fern > Ferns chewed
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Common Asparagus Beetle
Crioceris asparagi
- Adult feeding on asparagus spear causes spear to bend over into a shepherd's crook
- Adults also feed on ferns; can severely defoliate plant
- Larvae are slug-like, and light gray with a black head
- Adult beetles are ¼ inch long, oval-shaped, bluish-black with six cream colored spots on its back
- More information on Common Asparagus Beetle
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Spotted Asparagus Beetle
Crioceris duodecimpunctata
- Adult feeding on asparagus spear causes spear to bend over into a shepherd's crook
- Larvae feed on berries, but do not damage the overall health of the plant
- Adult beetles are ¼-inch long, oval-shaped, reddish-orange with twelve black spots
- Larvae are slug-like, and yellowish-orange
- More information on Spotted Asparagus Beetle
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Cutworms
Agrotis ipsilon, Peridroma saucia
- Stem chewed within 1 inch of base of plant (occurs during spring)
- Damage occurs during spring and summer
- Can feed on ferns, but not significant
- Cutworms are grayish or brownish and up to 2 inches long; typically found during day hiding in soil
- More information on Cutworms
