Lily beetle already!
Last post 03-07-2009 6:32 PM by bigsusan55. 53 replies.
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09/03/2008 03:26 PM
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Has anyone seen any lily beetles yet? I was amazed to find one slumbering in a pot of Carex grass. I don't know much about the life cycle; perhaps they can overwinter if its mild enough. Does this mean we must have eyes in the back of our heads all winter these days!
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09/03/2008 03:44 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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9,474
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They overwinter in the soil Molly. I haven't seen any here yet this year but they were about from about April time last year.
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09/03/2008 09:12 PM
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- Phot's-Moll
- The sunny South coast.
- 06 Jan 2007
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4,551
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Pesky little blighters.
http://patsysplot.blogspot.co.uk/
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09/03/2008 11:05 PM
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Oh dear, looks like another year of contant viligance. Its that yucky stuff around the grubs that can't stand.
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10/03/2008 08:25 AM
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- Pesty
- At a desk
- 24 Nov 2005
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324
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Yep lily beetles overwinter as adults in sheltered places and not necessarily near to lily bulbs. I found one wondering round my house on Christmas day 2006, and there are records of the adult beetle from all months of the year.
'Trying is the first step to failure' H.J.Simpson
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10/03/2008 09:58 AM
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- Digger
- Northern UK
- 18 Jul 2005
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5,230
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Last year I found two lily beetles here or was it the year before ,anyway not seen any since, maybe this part of Lancashire is not a good home for them.
digger  Sage of the fells
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10/03/2008 02:13 PM
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- Figwort
- Peterborough
- 20 Dec 2007
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258
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I haven't sen any yet this year where I live (Peterborough). I check my lilies early in the morning before I go to work. The little red blighters are quite dozy then and it's quite simple to knock them into the palm of your hand - and then squash them. Last year I dealt with 18 beetles in this way; I also squashed one batch of eggs. Luckily, I've never had any larvae.
There are never any problems in gardening - just opportunities!
Geoff Hodge
www.gardenforum.demon.co.uk
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03/04/2008 04:47 PM
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- carolyna
- Newton-le-Willows
- 02 Apr 2008
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I found some last weekend, near my lilies
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03/04/2008 05:58 PM
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- Plantman
- North Yorkshire
- 30 Jan 2008
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276
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Forgive me, but I have never seen a Lilly Beetle. What do they look like.
I suppose it's because this is the first year i have even thought of growing Lillies. So far, they are all in containers with fresh compost.
What should I be on the look out for?
Plantman
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03/04/2008 06:17 PM
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- Digger
- Northern UK
- 18 Jul 2005
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5,230
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I didn't see one until i found it at my allotment no where near any lilies and I am not too far from you so if i've got em you're going to get some for sure. They are a beautiful scarlet red colour and quite slender they make a clicking sound when you catch them,they are about just over 1/4 of an inch long. I found two of them one at the allotment and one at home.The one at home was despatched but the one at the allotment escaped when I was taking it to show to people.
digger Sage of the fells
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03/04/2008 06:34 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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9,474
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I squashed loads of them here last year. As digger says they are bright red and do look quite pretty but they are a real pest in the garden. As well as lilies, they also attack fritilleries and some other bulbs, I had a few munching away on hyacinth leaves. The first sign that you have them is when you notice that the leaves are being eaten. I find the best time to catch them is when the sun is out as they seem to like basking in the sun. Most of the ones I have found have usually been on the undersides of the leaves and once you find one, it's best to put some sort of container underneath as when they fall to the ground they always fall on their backs, and with their bellies being brown it is very difficult to see them against the soil. I usually use one of those disposable plastic cups and after catching them, put my hand over the top as they can fly out. On GW a couple of years ago it was mentioned that a good way of killing them is to pour boiling hot water on them, and I've found that if you have enough of them they don't half squeal. If I only get one or two at a time they usually meet the bottom of my foot.
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03/04/2008 09:23 PM
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- Plantman
- North Yorkshire
- 30 Jan 2008
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276
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Thatnks Digger and Sue. I will keep a keen eye out for them.
Sue, When you say they don't 'alf squeal when there's enough of them, is it like the Lobster in boiling water? Some say it's the air being pressurised and then escaping, under pressure.
Don't like the sound of that.
Thanks for the info.
Plantman
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03/04/2008 09:52 PM
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- Digger
- Northern UK
- 18 Jul 2005
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5,230
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No it's the death screams of some poor tiny creature being put through an agonising and cruel death,sue1002, has got a wicked streak . really they make a noise by rubbing their wing casings together and i suppose it's that noise they make during their torturous last moments on Earth. I did stamp on one of them so that is a fairly quick death i suppose
digger Sage of the fells
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03/04/2008 10:00 PM
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- Plantman
- North Yorkshire
- 30 Jan 2008
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276
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Well Digger
How do you recommend that they are disposed of? Should I go for the 'well you atrted it and I'll finish it by boiling you' routine, or the more friendly manner of ' packing a couple of suitcases and sending them abroad'.
Seriously, if I do see them, how do you feel that they are dealt with? How active are they once caugh? Can I tip them onto the paving and tread on them or are they likely to get away first?
Plantman.
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03/04/2008 10:03 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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9,474
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I haven't heard a lobster's noise so I can't compare it to that Plantman. It sounds like a high pitched gasp, so I expect it could be the air escaping. They die instantly as soon as the boiling water is tipped on them so it's really quick. Digger - you know me too well
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