Crioceris duodecimpunctata

Description

Crioceris duodecimpunctata or Spotted Asparagus Beetle is a species of shining leaf beetles belonging to the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Criocerinae. The length of beetles varies from 5 to 6.5 millimeters. The colour of head, pronotum and elytra is reddish-orange, while scutellum is black. On the elytra there are twelve black dots. It feeds on Cucurbitaceae and asparagus species. The larvae feed only on the asparagus berries, being the second most important pest of this plant, while adults prefer tender shoots and leaves. They are found in the whole Palearctic ecozone, including the British Isles.