Lilly Beetle

Crushed my first two lilly beetles of the year today- They get busy earlier and earlier.
Geoff

 

Too true Geoff!!..I have mashed up about 10 of the blighters already...I have noticed that Lillies growing among Wallflowers in my border seem to be free of them...so far!

 

Found my first ones this year, today, as well.

 

I got em too

 

They seem to go around in pairs,... dont they? :D :D :D

 

Coincidence that. I killed my first two of 2007 today as well.

 

I killed one the other day first of the year. I never had them at all till last summer, only on lilys at the bottom of my garden though!

 

I have found two pairs as well during the last week, and one single one which did a disappearing trick.... one of the few things I kill
Never knew about these pest in Cambs, but they are appearing everywhere now- anyone not got them?

 

Ooh!! What do they do to your Lilies? Dunno if I've got them or not??? Somethings been munching on one of mine :eek: :eek:

 

They lay eggs windy, that hatch out into grubs that eat the leaves and can destory a plant in a matter of days.
The grubs are particually disgusting as they cover themselves in their own ****, and look similar to bird droppings.

 

Yuk!
Just been out with a torch (obsessed???) and I haven't got them It's probably a slimier beastie that's taken a fancy to them!! Phew!! I've got quite a few Lilies....for future reference, how would I get rid of the grubs if i had them????

 

Under your shoe Windy,you just squash them DEAD :D By the way,how is your splintered Crown Imperial?

I ahve found four lily beatles so far yesterday and today all from plants bought back from RHS Rosemoor :eek:

 

It's still going strong, although a little stunted..thanks Kandy
Must remember to check any plants I recieve for wee beasties, I like my Lilies. Is it just Lilies they eat???

 

The Lily beetles eat all plants of the lily and fritillary family. Whilst the larvae do most damage it is worth regularly checking and picking off the very smart unmistakeable red beetles as they are mating now [that's why they're in pairs! ]. The only chemical which will kill them is Provado which unfortunately kills everything else too. It is systemic though so a quick blast after the bees have gone to bed will protect the plants and hopefully stop the beetles in their tracks. There are no natural predators of this beetle as it didn't originate here.
Use gloves when attacking larvae, they're disgusting. Spraying with a fairly strong blast of water will remove them too, but who knows where they will land?
If you want to be completely organic it's worth sifting throught the soil to find the pupae but they are hard to spot, being small, oval, and dark coloured. You only know you've got it right when the characteristic red colouration shows after 'squidging'. Only really feasible if you have just a few lilies in pots.
If you have time after all this activity, check this website:
http://www.icangarden.com/forum.cfm?task=viewthread&chatthreadid=6627

[ 18. April 2007, 12:34 PM: Message edited by: Liz ]

 

Fantastic Liz thank you