[hotterotter]

I planted 20 crowns earlier this year and yesterday noticed colourful beetles which a google image search confirmed are asparagus beetles. I garden organically (but use derris and other organic pesticides etc), what would be best for wiping them out? I'm happy picking off the adults but I'd really like to destroy the little eggs they've laid. Any ideas?

[crichmond]

Heres some links with info for you.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0502/asparagus_beetle.asp
http://everest.ento.vt.edu/~idlab/vegpests/vegfs/asparagusbeetle.html
http://www.planetnatural.com/site/xdpy/kb/asparagus-beetle-control.html
http://www.gardenguides.com/pests/pestinfo/asparagusbeetle.asp

Cheers Chris

[hotterotter]

thanks for those some useful info  

[crichmond]

The last one says to use Rotenone/Pyrethrin this is ok for organic gardening as it is a natural pesticide.
some info here:
http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/rotenone/startpageh.htm

[hotterotter]

OK that sounds alright, rotenone is very similar to derris, not particularly nice: http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Actives/rotenone.htm. Pyrethrum sound ok too I'll give it a bash. Thanks a lot for your help.

[crichmond]

changed the link to the home page so you get the full info

[milkman]

i pick em off and squidge - adults and caterpillar thingys - but I haven't got a very big asparagus bed and so not many to squish.