Asparagus Beetle vs Cabbage Looper Parasite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Asparagus Beetle | Cabbage Looper Parasite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Crioceris asparagi | Microplitis plutellae |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Braconidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Parasitoids |
| Regions | North America, Europe | North America, Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Asparagus Beetle
A colorful blue-black beetle with cream spots and a red thorax that feeds exclusively on asparagus. Both adults and larvae can defoliate asparagus plants.
Did You Know?
A tiny parasitoid wasp, Tetrastichus asparagi, lays its eggs inside asparagus beetle eggs to control populations naturally.
Cabbage Looper Parasite
A small dark braconid wasp that attacks caterpillars of the diamondback moth and cabbage looper. A single larva emerges and spins a dark cocoon beside the dead host.
Did You Know?
The emerging larva spins its cocoon so fast that the entire pupation process is completed within just a few hours.