By Mwoolston
United Kingdom 
i have a garden plant, i dont know what its called but its about 18 inch high and the flowes look like lilys. for the past two years i have been getting these little red bugs on it at this time every year, they eat the plant and leave a black slimmey mess on it. do you know what they are and how i can get rid, please help
3 Jul, 2011
Answers
the slimey mess is the larva of the beetle. it looks a bit like bird poo.
you can wipe them off with your fingers if you have the inclination.
3 Jul, 2011
You're describing Lily Beetles, they will eat their way through members of the Lily family and an insecticide will be needed to eradicate them.
'Provado' is the best i know of, it's not cheap but it's excellent value for money and does an equally excellent job.
3 Jul, 2011