lily beetles,do they have a natural predator?

goosey · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 07:32 AM

last spring I noticed that there was a Lily beetle on the Fritillaria Meleagris. It only seemed to be interested in the foliage so I left it. The next day on Gardeners World they said they should be destroyed. This goes against everything I've been aiming for in trying to create a wildlife friendly garden. So, out of interest - does the lily beetle have a natural preditor?

Paul mabbott · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 07:37 AM

Not to the best of my knowledge. The lily beetle is not a native - it's not 'natural' in this country and therefore has no place ina 'natural' garden!

Quote:

Originally Posted by goosey

last spring I noticed that there was a Lily beetle on the Fritillaria Meleagris. It only seemed to be interested in the foliage so I left it. The next day on Gardeners World they said they should be destroyed. This goes against everything I've been aiming for in trying to create a wildlife friendly garden. So, out of interest - does the lily beetle have a natural preditor?

The Valley sparrow · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 10:31 AM

There are about six Parasitic Wasps that attack the Lilly Beetle, dont know what they are. Only one of these is found in Britain, also Research by the RHS, has identified a British species that will also attack the Lily Beetle.(one of the Continental species is known as the Mass Hort, i think)

Paul mabbott · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Valley sparrow

There are about six Parasitic Wasps that attack the Lilly Beetle, dont know what they are. Only one of these is found in Britain, also Research by the RHS, has identified a British species that will also attack the Lily Beetle.(one of the Continental species is known as the Mass Hort, i think)

Oh, yes, there are likely to be parasitoids. Hope they find a specific one before introducing it so that it doesn't attack other leaf beetles! I'd be interested to know more ....

mrs fish · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 03:17 PM

I thought they were sweet a few years back when I first saw the scarlet lilly beetle, so I let them breed, big mistake they eat the lillies

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 04:00 PM

The adults are attractive if destructive, but the larvae are pretty disgusting + cover themselves in their own excrement- presumably an anti-predator strategy.

I usually get some of these unwelcome insects on my Fritillaries each spring.

The Valley sparrow · #7 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Oh, yes, there are likely to be parasitoids. Hope they find a specific one before introducing it so that it doesn't attack other leaf beetles! I'd be interested to know more ....

There has been a lot of research done on the subject, by the Rhode Island university. Also a good paper to look for is (Haye,2000,Gold et al;2001). It looks like Tetrastichus setifer is the best candidate.

Dragonflyer · #8 (**permalink**) 15-01-2007, 09:49 PM

Pretty looking little beetles though ain't they

wyevilla · #9 (**permalink**) 23-01-2007, 08:23 PM

Because of their colour (typical warning colouration) I suspect they taste disgusting to birds and so probably don't have any predators. Therefore we are probably stuck with parasites as the only natural methods of control. Looks like they're here to stay.

Paul mabbott · #10 (**permalink**) 19-05-2011, 11:21 AM

There's a lot of information here:
Lily beetle / RHS Gardening
This seems to be another 'good' year for them so keep an eye on your lilies. Observations will still be welcomed at the RHS site - the beast is spreading fairly widely over the British Isles.