Such a pretty beetle

I have been growing lily regale in container and garden for years, without a trace of a problem. Last year I got some oriental lily bulbs from T&M which I grew in containers. Lovely bulbs, but half after shooting failed and died - but some flowered well. This year, those were attacked by lily beetle - which I have been picking off all year, larva and beetles (such pretty little things when no covered with **** - but so nasty). Question if I ditch my remaining oriental lilies - will my lily regals be OK - they have a very thin leaf, and didn't seem to be affected as much as the oriental. Or have I got a problem that will continue. Advise would be very helpful

[ 02. September 2005, 08:14 PM: Message edited by: Fran ]

 

I dont really know Fran, I've had trouble with lilly beetle for years now. I also find they attack crown imperials etc.
Provado is supposed to kill them, if that helps, but at a guess I would think they will attack both kinds of lilly.

 

Thanks fellow sufferers - I will try pravado. Spent a little while today stripping every one I could see and squishing. Shame cos they are a pretty beetle. Not sure how they overwinter - at a guess, in the soil - but they are a pest I could do without.

 

Would a cold winter kill off these red perils? and would a winter that cold also kill off the lilly bulbs in the ground during winter?
I have had Lilly beetles on my plants for the first time here in South Wales.
Jax

 

For those who may be unaware of what this red peril looks like there's a photo here and, although it's American (seems this pest is a spreading problem worldwide) here's a good University of Rhode Island : Lilly Beetle fact sheet including control methods.

[ 29. September 2005, 09:06 AM: Message edited by: frogesque ]

 

Hi,
I used to live near Cambridge and never had any trouble with Lily beetles. I recently moved to Wiltshire, and at the same time brought some potted lilies from my Auntys' house in Shropshire. When the lilies grew I saw the pretty beetles, and not knowing what they were, left them alone. I pretty soon realized what they were up to and picked as many off as I could, including the larvae. I noticed that they were also eating Solomon's Seal, and a small number on fritillaria, but not the Day lilies. [NB this is what I've noticed, not definitive]. I have now more or less eradicated them [I don't think they're in Wiltshire yet] by a combination off picking off twice a day while lilies are growing, and careful use of Provado early in the season. I sprayed all the emerging lily growth, and hand sifted the soil round lilies to look for the pupa [you know if you've squidged one by the typical bright red, but they're hard to spot]. I am going to try neem oil as a preventative, as I found this suggestion some time ago on an American site. Has anyone tried it?
The Provado also blitzed vine weevils- it's pretty evil stuff and I try hard not to use insecticides.
For our great friends the slugs, I have been using copper wire unwound from a copper scouring pad- much cheaper than copper strips, and just as effective. It does work. I found this tip in a gardening magazine in spring. Has anyone tried the matting with copper woven in?

 

What a good idea, I have been looking at possable sorces of copper to protect my plants but have never though of scouring pads.
May I pass this tip on please to another vegetable growing group I some times visit.
Jax