Lily Beetle

Where are they coming from? I'm crushing 30 (at today's count) each time I go On Patrol (every other day). I don't think I am missing any/many, although it probably is a few. I'm deep in the country, not many gardens nearby ... have they over wintered? or are they flying in? or something else?

I am checking plants which have some damage / holes on "relatively new foliage" on the grounds that that indicates probable activity. That seems to give me a 75% strike rate on which plants will have critters needing crushing. But in extricating them I typically bend a leaf back, and I don't know if the leaf-damage caused is terminal ... it might be. Plus there are a fair few holes, although by no means do the plants look like Swiss Cheese, which can't be that good for the plant - at the very least it is unsightly.

I just wonder if I would be better off with a Systemic Insecticide?? - I could really use the time better on weeding and getting-on-top-of-things ready for the season ahead. If so which insecticide pls?

For manual control would I be better off with some decent tweezers? The sort that will neatly get in between the leaves and grab one, but also be able to crush it without having to move it to fingers first? That might save me some time, and do less damage to the Lily plant's leaves - getting the critter out in the first place.

 

not one yet, but Provado Ulitimate Bug killer will sort them out

 

Isn't it harmful to bees and stuff?

 

if the plant is not flowering Jen and you are careful a squirt on the top will be fine and it trickles down the stem, I dont mind chemicals if they are used safety and just before dusk.

 

I was getting them bad every year, have lost all of my lilies from the front garden, mostly I blame my neighbour 2 doors down who thinks they are spotless ladybirds ,I think all his in pots are gone now, I now have them in pots in the back garden, and didnt see one last year.

 

I'm worried --- because I haven't seen a single one yet. Where are the little beasts hiding??

Kristen, I go for a hands only approach. Don't search as they will drop off belly up onto the soil at the slightest vibration, thereby losing your only advantage of seeing red on green. Lurk quietly watching them as they bask, copulating, in the spring sunshine. Then go in for a swift clean grab, pinch them dead or drop on the paving and stomp. If you fluff it, walk by half an hour later, by which time they'll be back at it again, then have another try. Speed and accuracy is the essence!

I make it a habit every time I walk past to register anything red and remove it instantly. But then, my garden is probably only one twentieth the size of yours!

 

I've lost one lily to slugs this year, on one of the few damp days we've had, they just chomp the stem clean away, and of course, once it's gone, it's gone. At least LB don't do that.

 

Hiya Kristen.
I normally use Provado Ulitimate Bug killer too, which I find to be very effective. You would probably need to make a couple of applications over the season. There is though an issue as to what else it might kill, something that I have reservations about....

 

Thanks folk. @Spruce that's reassuring about "when not in flower", thanks.

@Madahhlia I'm skilled-in-the-art already , much as you describe, just it takes a while and it feels like I do some damage to the plant extracting them ... and I'm surprised I'm getting the same number every second day, as I can't think that there is a ready supply of them nearby - maybe I'm mistaken on that point though.

I'll give the Provado a go and report back

 

Not happy with that remark ...

Nor that one ...

.. unless you Should Have Gone To Specsavers?

 

@Kristen - they've all left Armandii's garden and caught the bus up to yours....
Jenny

 

Is it a Magical Mystery Tour?