lily beetles

paddy · #1 (**permalink**) 15-04-2009, 08:45 PM

Just as a warning - if you grow lilies (hoverflies seem to love lilium regale), its time to look out for lily beetles. Although fascinating in that they can detect a lily just as it pushes through the ground from a great distance, they are absolute destruction and i don't know what naturally predates them.
Here in Suffolk, i noticed two or three honing in this week, in the warmer weather.
If any hatch out from last year, they seem to come up from the soil, but its worth watching for them. They seem to hang on the underside of leaves, and although bright red, they defend themselves by dropping off onto their backs, where they can't be seen easily.
As the lilies push up, if you grab them low down and gently run your hand up the stem, you can dislodge them. If you're into a 'no pesticides' operation, you'll have to crush them. Sorry!

charlieb · #2 (**permalink**) 16-04-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddy

i don't know what naturally predates them.

Nothing! They're not native... all the more reason to squish 'em

Cheryl · #3 (**permalink**) 16-04-2009, 10:38 AM

I've squished about 8 over the last week or so

I've no longer got any lillies - I used to have at least one tub of Stargazer Lillies but the beetles have taken their toll, so I've not bothered this year.

However, they must be determined as they have sniffed out my day lillies (Hemerocallis something or other in the border which havn't until this year been affected

paddy · #4 (**permalink**) 16-04-2009, 08:48 PM

Also - forgot to mention - they also like fritilliaries, so watch your bog garden!
Came into England during the 40s, apparently - from hell, presumably.