lilly beetle

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by axe70, Mar 18, 2011.

  1. axe70

    axe70 Apprentice Gardener

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    my lilys are starting show them selves its warming up so time to keep a look out for the
    lily beetle.fritillaries are also atacked by them
     
  2. capney

    capney Head Gardener

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    Thanks Axe for that . I was not aware they like fritillaries.. I have loads.
     
  3. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    :DOH: Oh the dreaded Lily Beetle.. Hate them with a vengeance I am afraid & yes Robert they will decimate Fritillaries...
    This an excellent RHS page about them....
    http://www.rhs.org.uk/Science/Plant-pests/Lily-beetle#top
     
  4. Paladin

    Paladin Gardening...A work of Heart

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    Fritillaries!:DOH:...That explains why several of mine were 'cut' down in their prime last year.....So,a squashing I will go:paladin:
     
  5. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    You've got to admit the Lily beetle is a handsome devil. For the last 4 years I been battling it out with the beetle. The first year was the worst for damage as I had never seen a Lily beetle before, but on checking the plants I could see the larvae. My first reaction was to stick a large plastic bag over the Lily pot,slit a hole in the top and spray fly killer into it. That actually worked as the larvae didn't like it and dropped off and went belly up!

    I couldn't use that method in the open garden as it would have decimated the local insect population so I've been hunting around for a specific organic method, I haven't found one yet. The next three years got worse with the beetle getting more numerous and the beetle seemed to present until the end of October, so it was around for 6 months. Kill one and three more appeared!

    Last Autumn I emptied both of my 18" pots of lilies and put fresh clean compost back in, and as I didn't want to take the chance of missing any larvae, I binned the old compost. I also dressed the top of the compost with a thick layer of gravel to try to stop the beetle going into the compost, and also to see it should it drop off a leaf onto the gravel when I'm hunting them.

    The beetle seems to be very fond of sunning itself on the top of a leaf [actually any leaf, they don't just hang around the Lilies]. So I've killed many a Lily Beetle as it was getting a tan! It'll be interesting to see if the measures I taken will help this season.
     
  6. axe70

    axe70 Apprentice Gardener

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    last year was the first year i had Fritillaries and found one being eaten by one
    it was picked and squished
     
  7. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    :WINK1: Well let us hope then Axe.. :thumbsup:
     
  8. Spruce

    Spruce Glad to be back .....

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    hunting around for a specific organic method, .
    [/quote]


    its called finger and thumb:D


    Spruce
     
  9. siusi

    siusi Apprentice Gardener

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    Re: Lilly Beetle
    Covering the lilly pots with a plastic bag and spraying through a slit with flykiller,is a great idea!
    Thank U ARMANDII :)
     
  10. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    You're welcome:D
     
  11. Bluedun

    Bluedun Gardener

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    Lilly Beetle

    Found 5 on one plant yesterday and 3 on 2 other plants so check out your lillies.


    Trevor
     
  12. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    Oh, now that's not good
     
  13. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    For lily beetles I have to admit I resort to provado... not organic but the knees of bees to sort the problem before they come into flower
     
  14. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    Well, I haven't found an organic solution yet. Spruce has reported that he's already got them where he is so I'm sure they'll appear over the horizon shortly.
     
  15. axe70

    axe70 Apprentice Gardener

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    me too i spray when the bees ar not about just before dark
     
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