Lily Beetles

[shelagh]

Said to Brian yesterday "the Lilies are through", just about 2inches tall, "we must keep a look out for Lily beetles".  Well I found the first one this morning. Xray specs from now on.

[Maggi Young]

I nearly fainted when Roma - only  twenty or so miles away from here  - found her first lily beetles of the year just a month ago - I felt that was very early but immediately went out to check the Crown Imperials which were about the first  things I could expect to find the beetles on. Still looking but so far so good.
I've just been helping Molly on a mouse hunt (unsuccessful)  - there are so many critters after our plants! 

[Darren]

Usual first victim here is Frit camschatcensis. Checked just now and ok so far.

We didn't see any more all year after a sudden cold snap in May last year so I am hoping that the forecast frosts for this weekend might do the same for any adults already emerged, even if the plants don't like it!

Thanks for the warning Shelagh.

[Lori S.]

I nearly fainted when Roma - only  twenty or so miles away from here  - found her first lily beetles of the year just a month ago...(

I find adults emerging on warm days in March, when the surface of the soil is warm but still frozen beneath... in zone 3!   

[Maggi Young]

I find adults emerging on warm days in March, when the surface of the soil is warm but still frozen beneath... in zone 3!   

 Good grief - that's scary.  Where are these critters getting their cold weather clothes? 

[Tristan_He]

They haven't reached us yet, thank goodness. I expect it's only a matter of time though.

[johnw]

Sorry to say I was killing lily beetles here the last few weeks, they were at the bottom of cold frames wandering in the frozen wood chips, also clammering to find a hole in the screening on above ground frames.  Friends saw the first ones 5-6 weeks ago when lows of -7c were routine.  One year we saw them in February.  Cold - no effect and come they will!

johnw

[TC]

I have found two wandering about in separate areas of the garden in the last couple of weeks.  As it is a gardening day today, blue skies, sunshine and a temp. of 18°c we will have to keep a look out.  The trouble for me is that at a distance they look like ladybirds.   A peacock butterfly stayed for a spell before moving off when we were planting MORE dwarf Rhods. today after our trip yesterday to Benmore and then to the Tree shop at Loch Fyne.

[brianw]

They are back here. Found two copulating on a Fritillaria meleagris today. ;-(

[Darren]

Been watching for them since Dave Morris told me he'd seen one or two last week, and he isn't far from us.

None so far but we have had a run of warmish sunny days so I expect they will appear soon.

[Carolyn]

I found one a couple of days ago on my martagon lilies. It did not survive. Last year was the first time I saw lily beetles here. I hope I don't have to give up growing lilies and frits -I ended up doing that when I lived in the south of England, the infestations got so bad. I can't spray against them - I have frits and martagon lilies scattered all over the garden.

[jomowi]

I found one lily beetle early on this season, with no more until 5 showed up in the last two days. Either the cold weather laid them low, or this is the  next generation.  Of the 5 I found, 2 pairs were mating, so the next generation is on the way.  Not from them, though, - their activities were cut short under my foot!

[shelagh]

I'm glad to say that because of that huge Corydalis Wildside Blue I posted the Lily beetles don't seem to have been able to find my Martagon this year

[annew]

I'm with Maureen! Still getting them on Lilies and frits. Also squishing Solomon's Seal sawflies on my Polygonatums and smilacinas.

[Graham Catlow]

Found my first lily beetle in this garden today (been here just over two years). Quite by accident when I was weeding. Only one lily showing signs of damage so hopefully this will be the only one (wishful thinking  )