Asparagus Beetle Insecticide Trial

We conducted an insecticide trial on June 7, 2020 to determine how currently available 24-hr PHI (Pre- harvest interval) insecticides perform to control asparagus beetle adults and egg laying during harvest on spears. We tested both conventional and organic insecticides in a research plot in Hart. There were 8 insecticides applied (Table 1) by overhead spraying. We released asparagus beetles into the experimental plot and counted numbers of beetles and eggs 24-hrs later.

The best performing conventional insecticides were Carbaryl, Coragen and the best organic insecticide was Entrust. Two organic insecticides (Permethrin, Neem) did not perform well compared to the other insecticides. We did not find any beetles or eggs in plots with Assail, Pyganic and Carbaryl 1x treatment.