Lily Beetle

[Lesley Cox]

Certainly I've never seen anything like them here but then, I have relatively few lilies compared with many people, and only species. I guess if they're only in the northern hemisphere we have to admit that there is method in the particular madness that is MAF's determination to keep out as much as possible.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

I have relatively few lilies compared with many people, and only species.

If they were in the SH and you're growing no Lilies, they would be happy to devour your Frits Lesley .... 

[Darren]

At work we sometimes use Thymol (a thyme derivative, obviously) for preservation of rainwater samples in collectors out in the field. Just a few crystals (it isn't very soluble) in the bottom of a collector and it will then suppress most biological activity in the water until we can collect it for analysis. It is pretty impressive stuff (look it up on wikipedia) and has found lots of uses including as an acaricide. We are now ,however, discouraged from using it as it is suspected mutagen in its concentrated form. My point is that I can see the likelihood of thyme and its oil being a very effective tool for gardeners, even if just as a disinfectant.

[Brian Ellis]

Well the weather has been balmy today - 5 degrees and so I did a little more clearing of stuff so I can see the snowdrops

However I am horrified to report the first sighting of an adult Lily Beetle of the year, sadly she is no more

[Lesley Cox]

However I am horrified to report the first sighting of an adult Lily Beetle of the year, sadly she is no more

Sadly?

[Maggi Young]

However I am horrified to report the first sighting of an adult Lily Beetle of the year, sadly she is no more

Sadly?

 Brian,  while I do understand Lesley's scepticism, I applaud your gentlemanly reporting.

[fredg]

Why don't people like this species?

The young look so appealing 

[Lesley Cox]

Oh my God!

Are these really the young. I reckon they look more like the droppings. (We don't have lily beetles here.)

[Lori S.]

The larvae cover themselves with droppings.. the clever little beasties.  I had never seen lily beetles here before last summer, but last summer, I saw (and dispatched) 4.

[Brian Ellis]

We don't have lily beetles here.

And you certainly don't want them Lesley...I might move

[iann]

Lily Beetles have been here for 2-3 years, before that I didn't see them.  No more Lilies for me, it also seems to mean no more Fritillaries.  It is possible to manage them manually, or even to treat with systemic insecticides, but its an effort that I'll save for my favourite plants.

[Sinchets]

We have them here, which is no great surprise as I imagine we are within their native range. We have had them in the garden and spray the Lilium and Fritillaria with Provado when we find the first one. We have seen them do some damge to wild Lilium martagon in the local woods, but I presume they must have a natural predator here as the damage never appears that bad.

[4moreaction]

this 'beauty' relishes also the delicious Allium schoenoprasum... unfortunately!!!  May that awful beetle perish...SOON!!

[Stephenb]

Had my first too last summer - on Lilium martagon. Bad news that they also like Alliums....

[jes]

yes they are some beasts, but on the other side so I am forced to watch them a few times a day during the season and may in this context really enjoyed my lilies, so nothing is so bad that it is not good for anything - When they are part of the garden