First red lily beetle of the year...

[Jill]

... now picked and squashed.  Started early this year. :(

[Jill]

[emmy1978]

How do they jump from one side of that leaf to the other! Evil little blighters, such a satisfying crunch!

[Jill]

Can't believe, but now two! picked and squashed.  Just hope this isn't how things will progress.

[Barnowl]

No red lily beetles yet, but first Lavender beetle picked and squashed - why lavender beetle I don't know - only ever find them on the rosemary.

[daisymay]

we have hundreds of them, quite literally..... how do I get rid of them??

[saddad]

Got two fornicating on the Patio the other day...
:o

[dandelion]

YIKES LILY BEETLES!!! Hate them >:(. REALLY REALLY  hate them >:( >:( >:( >:(! I haven't seen any yet this season, but then the lilies have not emerged yet either.

And who dares admit that the first time they saw the beasties they thought, 'Such colourful, unusual beetles, don't they look sweet?'

[Marymary]

Yep first time I saw them I thought they must be related to the ladybird &so would eat all the aphids - only when my lilies turned to net curtains did the penny drop.  I've been collecting them & squashing them [I have a special kit of a stone & piece of wood which is stained dark red] they all seem to be in pairs so now seems to be a good time to catch them before they manage to breed.

Not met a lavender beetle yet.  What do they look like?

[dandelion]

I've been collecting them & squashing them [I have a special kit of a stone & piece of wood which is stained dark red

Maybe  a useful red dye could be exctracted from them  ;).

[emmy1978]

Got two fornicating on the Patio the other day...
:o

They are saucy little things, mine are always at it! Must get a bit of a shock when they are rudely squished! Feel bad now, no, just a bit of indigestion.  ;D

[allaboutliverpool]

I spotted one on my lilies yesterday and did not have a clue what it was. I typed red beetle into google and found it, (as well as cars). Apparently it only came to this country in the 1940s, when lilies were imported, probably from Canada originally. Another example of why growing it yourself is better.

Both the beetle and ther grub eat the leaves. Look for them and squash them, it should not be difficult as they do rather stand out. If your lily leaves are not eaten, don't bother.

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments2_my_allotment_in_liverpool.html

[emmy1978]

Look for them and squash them, it should not be difficult as they do rather stand out. http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments2_my_allotment_in_liverpool.html

No allabout, it's not hard to spot them, but they can't half move fast when they know you're on to them!

[coznbob]

Found out about these little b****rs a few years ago, haven't seen any yet this year, but might go and have a hunt later.... :-\

[theothermarg]

found one yesterday and got it , must have been looking for last years lillys which  have vanished !! the slugs found them first lol to be honest i went off them when i read they were dangerous to cats now i,v read it was just a scare story
marg

[Jill]

Looks like it's going to be a bumper year for them.  Just squished another 4.  That makes 8 to date and my lilies are only an inch high :(

[Marymary]

My total kill must be about 50 to date & the lillies are still being eaten.  Do you think they might be related to the beetle they get red food colouring from [can't spell it!]?

[emmy1978]

cochineal isn't it? maybe they are-yuk!  :P

[saddad]

I don't care whose relatives they are... I've  squished another three and the next one I see is going the same way...
;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

Isn't cochineal an aphid?

Edit: no, it's a scale insect.

[Marymary]

I always thought it was a beetle - live & learn.  :)