dreaded lily beetle I'm afraid. Copy and paste this link http://www.rhs.org.uk/Science/Plant-pests/Lily-beetle (dont know how to get direct links to work - can anyone help me?)

I can't help you with that Weatherwise, I never can either.
Kellymarkjean, extreme vigilance is now required, preferably with a plastic bag or close fitting rubber glove near the lilies - you need to go out regularly (at least daily, preferably twice a day) and stealthily and quietly stand close to the plant, stock still, and just look hard - if you see a red beetle, grab it between thumb and forefinger and kill it, or drop into a bucket of water. You have to be quick but quiet and careful - they scoot off alarmingly quickly as you try to catch them otherwise. Pesky little critters, but if you dont control them, they will decimate your lilies - they'll end up looking like brown stalks covered in bird poo (which is the larvae of the lily beetle). I believe Provado makes a spray for these now, but have no idea how effective it is.

They do seem to sense or hear you coming - and drop off onto the soil, upside down, so that you can't see them! I take a sheet of paper with me and hold it under the beetle, so when he drops off, I catch him. Then - squish!

I now grow most of my lilies in pots, to make it easier to spot the wretched critters.

I've used Provado for the past 2 years now and it DOES control the little b*****s.

Well thanks, Louise, at least we know its effective.

That's good, Louise! :-)

I spray it 6 weekly, by the way, it doesn't take much really.