About Crioceris duodecimpunctata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Crioceris duodecimpunctata, commonly called the spotted asparagus beetle, is a species of shining leaf beetle. It is classified in the family Chrysomelidae and the subfamily Criocerinae. Adult beetles range in length from 5 to 6.5 millimeters. The head, pronotum, and elytra are reddish orange, and the scutellum is black. Twelve distinct black dots are present on the elytra. This species feeds on asparagus species and plants in the Cucurbitaceae family. Larvae feed exclusively on asparagus berries, and they rank as the second most important pest of asparagus. Adults prefer to feed on tender asparagus shoots and leaves. This beetle is found throughout the entire Palearctic realm, including the British Isles.
