BACKGROUND The asparagus miner is a putative vector of Fusarium spp., which have been implicated in globally declining asparagus production. Growers currently apply broad-spectrum insecticides for the asparagus miner, but lack management guidelines for adequately controlling the pest. Our aims were (1) to determine the lower developmental threshold of the asparagus miner, (2) develop and valida...

The common and spotted asparagus beetles (Crioceris asparagi (L.) and Crioceris duodecimpunctata (L.), respectively) are host-specific pests of asparagus, and frequently occur wherever asparagus is grown. The common asparagus beetle is the more serious of the two pests. It emerges earlier in the season, and both adults and larvae can cause damage to the asparagus crop by chewing spears and remo...

Black and white plastic rowcovers were established over field-grown ‘Jersey Giant’ asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.). Spears were cut for 7 weeks. Season soil temperatures were lowest under white plastic and highest without plastic covering. Night air temperature under plastic covers was ≈ 1.4C higher than without plastic covering (control), but day air temperature was typically 10C higher u...