Detailed information on Lily Leaf Beetle (Lilioceris lilii)

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eroebroek

calgary, AB (Zone 3b) | July 2019 | Negative

We have had this pest in Calgary for at least 5 years. I have hundreds of Lily stems. Picking them off by hand is moderately effective if you are Retired like me. Spraying with Malathion kills about twice as many as hand picking since you get those that are hidden .What is extremely effective is using a systemic insectiside . I sprayed once early when the lilies were only 4 inches high and that seemed to do it .

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kdrotzer

Croton-on-Hudson, NY | February 2019 | Negative

I had pretty much stopped growing lilies until someone told me about Johnson's baby powder (the original with talc -- not the newer version with cornstarch). Although a bit unsightly, (the stems and buds are often powdered) I have been able to grow lilies again. I use the large size container as a built in "duster". I now keep my lilies in designated areas, (not all over the garden) and start dusting them when young and always after it rains. If I am diligent, I control the beetles without them getting to the next stage.

Hope this helps.

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klippenshliefer

| August 2016 | Negative

We have battled these red terrors in Toronto for a few years now. I used to be squeamish about killing bugs, but now each day after work, during the summer, I inspect the underside of the leaves of my true lilies and when I see the bugs, I try to get them with my fingers, but hold my other hand cupped under the operation as, half the time, they fall off. With this method, they don't land in the soil where they are harder to see. Then I put them on some hard-scaping and squish them. I also try to rub off the red eggs, but after reading some of the comments, I realize I should be more careful to ensure they are squished rather than just falling off into the soil. I can't deal with the yucky larval stage as I'm often not wearing gloves, but mostly I don't see that stage, because of my other ... read more

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coriaceous

ROSLINDALE, MA | February 2014 | Negative

This beetle arrived (from Europe) in Winchester, MA in 1992 on a shipment of lily bulbs from Europe. It has slowly spread through most of New England and into New York state. It presents such a challenge that most of the gardeners I know in eastern Massachusetts have given up growing lilies.

Orientpet hybrids are said to be the least susceptible. Daylilies are not affected. Fritillaria seem to be as vulnerable as lillies. Adults also sometimes feed on lily-of-the-valley and on Solomon's seal, but I've never seen much damage to these plants.

I strongly recommend against sending lilies and fritillaria from the area of infestation in the US (New England and New York) to other parts of the country, as this would spread the problem.

A wasp that helps... read more

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befr

Amherst, MA | May 2011 | Neutral

I have tried many strategies but have had good luck with The Bayer Rose and Flower Spray. It controlled them with repeat applications but did not eradicate them.
I recently read that *Spinosad insecticides kill larvae (reported by the UMass Extension) and *Pyrethroid insecticides (Permethrin is one) kill adult beetles (reported by the UMass Extension) .
Spinosad is a natural insecticide
Just do an internet search to find products that include these ingredients. I will be trying them myself this year.

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robertach

Waverley, NS, NS | May 2011 | Negative

Found in gardens in Halifax area of Nova Scotia and very hard to eradicate, if not impossible. We have used Neem oil and many other products...no success.

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cathy166

Stamford, CT (Zone 6b) | April 2010 | Negative

In one day of warm weather, this pest made dinner of my fritillaria I use sprays that protect the plant to make it less desirable to eat.

Water soluble sprays need to repeat the application every time there is rain. Sprays of essential oils must be diluted properly or they run the risk of burning the leaves.

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Zaragoza

(Zone 8b) | December 2009 | Positive

This is a very nice jewel that feeds in Liliaceae, above all I saw in native Lilium in the wild, but also in cultivated Lilium. Is not common but not rare. There are a more nice and much rarer species that is Lilioceris merdigera, with red legs.

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mygarden5

Essex Junction, VT | June 2009 | Negative

Disgusting invader. I have feverously squashed them since early spring, fully knowing the damage they cause. When I first encountered them a couple years back the red beatles seemed to do little damage. The offspring however is another matter.. I am a little squimish about bugs, but now in a vengence, when I see a line of red eggs, I mash them with my hands. When the larvae are allowed to develope they devour the leaves rapidly. I monitor my lilies daily and scrape the larvae into a solution of soapy water. (They hide on the underside of the leaves, so this means gettting down to chipmunk level). I thought I had them under control at one point, but it has been an ongoing battle. I try to avoid pesticides, however, I am at a loss as to how to control these pests.

Interesting... read more

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TLou

North Haverhill, NH | June 2009 | Negative

Yuck. I hate these things. I garden in MA and NH, and in NH they are destroying my lillies [also my Checkered lillies]. I have been suashing them, but they come back. They seem to fall into the mulch or dirt at the base of the plant, roll over so you can't see the red on them, and hide. What to do? Someone said Neem? I'll try anything. Yuck again.

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irisMA

South Hamilton, MA | June 2008 | Negative

Several yrs ago they destroyed our few lilies. Last fall I decided to try some more and of this month they have returned. I am looking for the site that describes the reseach occuring at the U. of Rhode Island. I have been told by a European correspondant that they eat many things but only lay eggs on lilies & fritillaries. The beetles have appeared but flowers are not open, just the buds so information on how the flowers are located? I don't think that anyone near us grows lilies. Watch out that the orange eggs don't drop on the ground as the eggs will mature there.

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milkbonehappy

Chester, VT (Zone 5a) | May 2008 | Negative

These little devils totally destroyed my Turk's cap (asiatic) lilies. The first summer I noticed them, they did minor damage to the plants - some holes on the leaves. The second summer, the damage was worse, and this past summer, almost all the leaves were destroyed before the plant could bloom. The blooms were stunted and malformed. I had been picking off the beetles when I saw them, but this spring I decided to take drastic action. I repeatedly went through the foliage of my lilies as soon as they popped through the soil in the spring hoping to stem the infestation early. I pulled off every visible beetle, repeating this multiple times. However, each day I'd check the plants and find many more. Where they'd been hiding, I don't know. Finally I gave up and pulled the plants. I ... read more

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Sarahskeeper

Brockton, MA (Zone 6a) | April 2008 | Negative

I spray my lilies when I spray the fruit trees, works fine for a week.
Mostly I hand pick and squish adults and eggs. Some lily clusters never have much trouble, others are repeatedly infested.
Andy P

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mellymass

Metrowest, MA (Zone 6a) | July 2007 | Negative

Sheesh new to gardening and after a couple of weeks of trying to figure out what was putting major holes in my asiactics I found this guy on them. Now to figure out how to get rid of it!

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northgrass

West Chazy, NY (Zone 4b) | May 2007 | Negative

This beetle first appeared on my lilies last summer. It was late in the season when I noticed the extensive damage to my plants, some had most of their leaves chewed off. They were loaded with the red adult beetles as well as the repulsive larvae and their excrements. I had to resort to spraying.
This spring, I kept a watch for them and found many that I squashed. It seem to have helped, so far no big infestation, of course, it is still early.
If I find some larvae, I will try the recommended Neem pesticide on them, it is said to kill the larvae and deter the adults

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cicimclay

Holden, ME | May 2007 | Negative

These nasty little fellows have destroyed my Asiatic lilies and my fritillaria bulb plants in past years. They become passive and fall off the leaf or stem when you attempt to remove them from the plant. I've found leaning the plant over a container and knocking them off into the container the best practice. If you put water with dish soap in the container it kills the beetle. So far I'm catching them before total destruction this year.
5/19/07 Zone 4/5 Bangor/Ellsworth Maine region

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Erynne

Orangeville, ON (Zone 4b) | July 2006 | Negative

Apparently this is a minor pest in Canada but can be destructive to host plants. Host plants include: Lily species, Lily of the Valley & Solomon's Seal.
I discovered this beetle on one of my Asiatic Lilies as well as another on one of my brugs. So far, I'm not certain what kind of damage they are causing but I'm killing them just the same.
They are native to North Africa and Europe but were discovered in Eastern Canada in the 1940's. This brilliant red beetle measured about 7mm long and 4mm wide. This is approximate because I took these measurements after I squished it. I didn't see these beetles in my garden last year but then again I didn't have the lilies I have now either.

Lily Leaf Beetle

Lilioceris lilii

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