Can anyone identify this lily eater?

[supersprout]

Can anyone identify this lily bug?
Seems to have laid a cluster of white eggs on the underside of the lily leaf, then the wee caterpillars (hope you can see them) have 'mined' the leaf. The critters were between 2mm and 4mm long, depending on what part of their 'walk' they were doing.
It was only one one leaf.



Key:

[supersprout]

[Georgie]

No idea, SS, hope someone else can!

g x

[supersprout]

Ohhh please someone MUST know what these critters are? Don't be shy! ;) ;D

[jennym]

Sorry, don't know what it is, although its obviously eating away at the soft part of the leaf - I do have trouble seeing the creatures in the pictures clearly though, any chance of more detail?

[supersprout]

Here it is BIG! ;D

[redimp]

Googled it last night and not a clue - sorry.

[supersprout]

Awww thanks for giving it a go RC :)

[Tee Gee]

Can't really make it out is this it:



If it is it is a scale insect.


http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Misc.Data/Scale%20Insects.htm

[Marika]

Hi Supersprout,

I am an entomologist, but I am afraid I do not have the answer either ..... Looking at the eggs and the caterpillars, it must be some sort of Lepidoptera (probably a moth). It is a bit difficult to say which one, because the larvae are still small. Young larvae (L1 and L2 stages) of moths all look the same - to identify Lepidoptera you usually need older larvae. Here in The Netherlands, the main moth attacking lily is Mamestra brassicae (cabbage moth).

Hope this helps ... a little bit ???

Marika

[supersprout]

Thanks marika and tee gee
They are definitely wee caterpillars, and not scale
Wonderful to get a response from a lepidopteriste, at least we know which family we're talking about!
:D :D :D