Are these red lily beetle?

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by marie131963, May 18, 2015.

  1. marie131963

    marie131963 Gardener

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    Evening everyone

    In my daughters little patch, it has her seedlings and some pink stargazer and oriental lilies across the top of a triangular boarder.

    I spotted two red things on a newish lily is this the red lily beetle?

    How do I get rid of them without hurting good bugs and bees?

    or

    Do I just ignore them and hope the hedge hog gets them?

    I did try to photo them but it was on my phone sorry not brilliant but you will see the colour if nothing else.

    Thanks

    Marie
     

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  2. scillonian

    scillonian Gardener

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    Yep, that's them. By the look of it they will be laying eggs in the morning which will quickly grow into orrible slimy larvae that will eat their way through the rest of your daughters lily.
     
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    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      Hi Marie, is this what you saw?
      [​IMG]
      That is a Lily Beetle. While a Lily Beetle will damage Lilies it is the Larvae of the Lily Beetle that will defoliate a Lily...........so you have to kill every Lily Beetle that you see.:coffee::snork:
       
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      • Silver surfer

        Silver surfer PLANTAHOLIC

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      • ARMANDII

        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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        There is a method in catching Lily Beetles. If you just reach out for the Beetle it will see your hand coming and it will escape by just falling off the leaf and disappearing. You have to carefully, and sneakily, put one hand underneath it so that when it see's the other hand approaching it falls off the leaf and into your hand.:yes::heehee:
         
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        • CharlieBot

          CharlieBot Super Gardener

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          I just pinch them with the tips of my secateurs.
           
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          • Anthony Rogers

            Anthony Rogers Guest

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            I use two flat pebbles/stones, hold one underneath and then crush it with the other one.
             
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            • ARMANDII

              ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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              I used to use a Shotgun
              upload_2015-5-18_22-45-46.jpeg
              But it didn't do my Lilies any good.:dunno::doh::scratch::coffee:
               
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              • Anthony Rogers

                Anthony Rogers Guest

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                I thought it would be too obvious to put a laughing thingy :)
                 
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                • marie131963

                  marie131963 Gardener

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                  I guess I will be looking out for those larvae now they are really revolting aren't they. I don't have a problem killing them I am not keen on beetles at all must be a Liverpool thing.

                  I tried to crop and paste just for more detail but don't really think it is much better.

                  Thanks for all your replies it has been good to confirm what to do. I don't really like to kill unless I am sure its a pest.
                  I hope to get the larvae before too much damage. The beetles are now dead and gone do you know those cheeky things sat on that same lily for ages hours so I killed it for its cheek! Any WP_20150518_15_39_01_Pro (3).jpg other pest would do a runner while I was checking it out!

                  I have just seen the seedlings I think she will need to thin out and fill in the bits where the hedgehog has dug up. A couple of sneaky weeds in there I see.

                  She tells me she planted poppy, cosmos, cornflowers also some pink and blue nigella plus a few nasturtiums she said she just wants it wild like to encourage the butterflies looks like we will have fun trying to pick our apples which are just behind her bed. She is 14 years old and knows everything no help wanted :(
                   

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                • marie131963

                  marie131963 Gardener

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                  Thanks for the picture and advice what fabulous detail I am afraid I could not say it is the same beetle 100% I could not see the head or legs. I have tried to crop the picture but I still would not like to put my life on it. They stayed there so long I went back and killed them I expect I will be seeing that awful larvae so I will have to try and remove it if I can. shame I can't train the hedgehogs to eat the larvae out the lily but to high for them .

                  I am trying not to use pestersides opting for soap which seams to work for the aphids. I am feeding the birds and I know I have 5 big frogs knocking round so hopefully I can keep it a wild life friendly garden. I am amazed at the size of the bees they seam very big over the past few weeks.

                  Thanks for everything I appreciated your help.
                   

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                • Silver surfer

                  Silver surfer PLANTAHOLIC

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                • marie131963

                  marie131963 Gardener

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                  Hi Silver surfer.
                  I took the photo with my phone but I have no real idea how to do close ups next time I will try with the camera that said I am not good with that either.

                  I never seen any detail myself just two red beetles matting no legs or head. your life cycle article was very informative thank you.

                  My hands where virtually on top of them to take the photo and they stayed put for a couple of hours which surprised me. must have been exceptionally randy or perhaps the kids super glued them.

                  So far I cannot see any eggs on the leaves either side with my reading glasses on or off these leaves are very small. I must check the day lilies they have decent leaves to hide in. I just got my hubby to split them a few weeks ago they had took over a big area after about 10 years threw away the old woody stuff and replanted some newer tubers.

                  Have a lovely day it looks like rain here till about 7pm according to the weather. Hope it is nice where you are!

                  best wishes Marie
                   
                • marie131963

                  marie131963 Gardener

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                  Hi Armandi
                  I never saw much detail even up close so would not put my life on it. They where mating but they never scarpered while my hands photographed them with my mobile. I could not see a head or legs really just the two red backs they stayed for hours I did reward them with a quick squishing they deserved it for their persistence.

                  Thank you for the picture and advice I appreciated it.

                  I wouldn't mind but of all creatures it beetles I don't cope with, they keep jumping out on me and virtually pull tongues at me.

                  Last week it was a green one shaped like a shield, then the same day a black one with a lot of orange no idea if friends or foes. I really need to check somewhere on which are gardeners friends.
                  The others on the ground I think I would like a quick cremation with the weed wand thing. I think the birds and hedgehog eat a lot so not really dealt with the bugs. Yesterday was different they had the cheek to go on my daughters stargazer lilies don't want her put off gardening before she starts.

                  Have a lovely day, best wishes

                  Marie
                   
                • Palustris

                  Palustris Total Gardener

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                  They do not normally go on Day Lilies which are Hemerocallis and not related to true Lilies, by the way.
                   
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