watch out-lily beetle about!

Me too, I found some yesterday on my lilium regale and they are only a few inches high!.I have also had a small Acer covered in black fly. So much for a hard winter killing all the pests.

Best Give My Lilys a look 2morrow 2 see if iv any about yet, i also had lots in My Garden Last yr Mageth:/

Nasty little blighters aren't they? I've often wondered how they know there are lilies in a garden! lol.

They can probably smell them

I had lillies for the first time last year, I had them in pots and within a couple of days I saw my first lilly beetle - couldn't believe how quickly they discovered my lillies, thought maybe the aphids on my lupin sent them a text msg filling them in with the news!

I have greenfly already but so far no lily beetles.

Just done a bit of research at the RHS site which says my beetle was probably an overwintered adult, no doubt looking for a mate! they can lay up to 300 eggs in a season and the babies drop into the soil and pupate there. As Moon grower says they find the plant by smell. Advice is to check in morning and evening for the adults and on the back of leaves close to stem for the red eggs. And just to make things worse, apparently they make a squeaking noise when under attack! Squeak all you like matey-its war from now on!

The pesky beetle hit my lily's on Easter Sunday....got the Provado straight out.................

Does that work on the adults?

Glad I,m not the only one,I found 3 in one pot today so I am now on red alert ............

Ahh! I discovered 4 today, 2 couples loving it up on my lillies! Having seen pics on here and heard about them, I was quite shocked to see them. I have many holes on the leaves so will attempt to control the blighters now. Not looking forward to the squeaking though :-|

Yes, I have found a few lillie beettles as well.......Don't you hate it, when the plants have been eaten by these little devils........!!

Havnt seen any for weeks Louis, but I expect them back just as my lilies are about to flower. Now we have the invasion of the painted lady butterfly which is much more acceptable but i worry what their caterpillars eat!

Mageth, the red lillie beetles, have had a feast with my lillies!!! They are a pain in the neck, to say the least. As for the Painted Lady butterflies, I have not seen any so far......Keepng my fingers crossed lol

I spoke too soon too, went out this morning and there was one adult and several disgusting babies munching away, will have to be more vigilant. hope they havnt done too much damage to your plants

Found my first red lily beetle this morning, only one leaf munched fortunately. I'll be watching for them very carefully now!

Hi Mageth, Most of the leaves have been eaten, they look more like colonders, as it has so many holes!! The only good thing, is that the buds are in good condition.

At least thats something Louis...... my daughter managed to decapitate one of mine!! Oh dear never mind there is always next year

Apart from flicking them off and killing them, can you also spray with something to keep them at bay?

I have some gorgeous tree lilies and they are ruining them.