Lily Beetle War 2006

[dandelion]

Saw the first lily beetles today >:( and thought I'd start a thread to record the casualties (Lily beetles that is, not lilies ;D!)

Killed today: 5

They are orange on the inside too when you squish'em 8)!

[dandelion]

[grawrc]

With your newly mended spade? ;) ;)

[dandelion]

No with my fingers ;D! I wasn't going to fetch a squishing tool and risk the little blighters getting away in the meantime! Killl them quick!

The very first time I saw a lily beetle, I thought 'what a pretty and interesting looking bug'. I let it live and suffered the consequences.

Of course vine weevils are even sneakier....

[lorna]

dandelion. I remember the problems members on A4A had last year with lily beetles.
I have yet to see one......OMG hope I am not tempting fate

[Robert_Brenchley]

I had one and a few of it's disgusting offspring last year; I squashed the first, and then just wiped the latter off onto the ground. Hopefully they won't appear this year.

[grawrc]

What do they look like and what do they attack (apart from lilies obviously)??

[Robert_Brenchley]

Ladybird sized and bright red, you can't mistake them. The larvae cover themselves with nasty slimy poo and look like little lumps of black bird poo. As far as I know they only eat lilies but I may be wrong.

[dandelion]

Fritillarries too, I've read somewhere.

[Robert_Brenchley]

May well do, and probably other members of the Liliaceae as well.

[Doris_Pinks]

They are about already?? :o :o :o Batten the hatches, get on the glasses, and prepare for WAR!!
I killed loads of the little darlings last year, incase anyone hasn't tried, if you put your hand under where they are, it throws them into complete panic and they hurl themselves off the plant and into your waiting hand, then to be swiftly dealt with under a heafty gardening boot! ;D

[grawrc]

Just had a closer look at them and their grubs online. Quite glad I don't grow lilies really. :o

[Sprout]

I found half a dozen or so white grubs about 1cm long in OH's pot containing over-wintering liky bulbs. Thoght they might be lily beetles but obviously not from previous description. ???

[jennym]

Might be vine weevil Sprout.

[grawrc]

probably vine weevil. Be afraid... and kill them asap if you haven't already

[dandelion]

YES vine weevil grubs! I've found those eating in my lily pots. I suggest inspecting anything you have growing in pots.

BY the way, lily beetle grubs live on the stems and leaves, not underground!

[cliff_the_gardener]

q.  What do lilly beetle grubs look like
a.  Something that belongs on the bush tucker trials.  Horrible brown blobs covered in poo.  great to squash though
Clifford

[Robert_Brenchley]

Little soft white grubs, but they cover themselves in limy blackish-brow poo and look like bird nuts.  find your lilies being eaten, it's likely that you'll find the bits of poo not far away. Flip them onto the ground or squash them. Adults are more mobile so flatten them with extreme prejudice.

[cliff_the_gardener]

Reading this the other day - so whilst out there this afternoon, a little inspection.  Tons of ladybirds.  Thats a red one - eeek squash it quick.
My first one down - hope there aren't too many more to come
Clifford

[Travman]

How far have they spread in the UK ?
I have quite a few lillies yet never had one (luckily), and have not heard anyone in our area of Yorkshire  having them either. ( or at least not seeing them )

[cliff_the_gardener]

I have them in Doncaster.