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| From MIDMARSH JOTTINGS |
Yesterday when I checked my containers of lilies for red beetles I though I was in the clear. I should have known better. I had forgotten one large pot near where I had seen the beetle. Today I remembered to check that out. DISASTER! I immediately saw a Red Lily Beetle on one of the flower buds and examination of the leaves soon brought dozens of larvae in various sizes in to view. Closer examination also showed a lot of leaves had the tiny sausage shaped orangey red eggs on the underneath. This beetle seems to have been infesting these lilies for many days.
I took a few photographs and some video of the culprit before I consigned all the plants from that pot to the green wheelie bin and dispatched the beetle permanently before it could do any more damage. Shame really as it is such a beautiful insect.
Pretty as it was I hope never to see another one, at least not in my garden.
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteI, personally have never seen one before. I loved the photos and video. You are right, they are beautiful, but they are also a pest
Gosh, John, this looks like a real pest. Hope you manage to save your flowers. Thanks for your comments too.
ReplyDeleteHi Joe. I hadn't seen one until a couple of days ago and I don't particularly want to see one again. Not here anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Emma. I think it only goes for certain lilies so if I am lucky, getting rid of the infected ones may be all I need to do. I hope so as my lilies have been multiplying for years and I always look forward to their lovely flowers.
ReplyDeleteI had a huge problem with them last year on some lilium pardalinum - in the ground not potted. I picked off the first flush, but then had 2 weeks away, returning to find the plants in shreds. I squished those I could find last year, and have checked every time I've been out on in decent weather this year. I've found quite a lot, but the good news is the plants are doing very well. So I reckon the main thing is to just keep checking and squishing. I think the grubs overwinter in the compost, so you could try letting the plants die back then cleaning the bulbs - unless they hide in the scales.
ReplyDeleteOooo, hope you've managed to get rid of them.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness! They might look pretty, but they certainly sound like bad news, I would not have known what they were before, but I will now! I hope your remaining lilies stay safe.
ReplyDeleteHi John I'm not familiar with this beetle I have never seen it here...hmmmm but I lovely looking beetle none the less. I have finally caught up on your posts lovely shots of the garden and I liked your series on pigeons.
ReplyDeleteYuck - sorry to hear this John; it certainly sounds as though they'd been there for a while. Pity to had to lose the plant but hopefully all the others will be OK. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteHi Brian. I will be keping a very close eye on the remaining lilies which so far have escaped an attack.
ReplyDeleteI hope so Keith. Things are looking clear at the moment.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan. I didn't know anything about them until the other day. So far the rest seem just fine.
ReplyDeleteHi Crista. It certainly is a pretty beetle even if it is a pest. The pigeons can be fascinating to watch.
ReplyDeleteYuk indeed Tricia. That is one pretty beetle which is no longer welcome.
ReplyDelete...Wonderful post. I've never seen a beetle like that, and can he ever do damage! He is beautiful, but yikes!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly. That is one beetle I don't mind if I never see again.
ReplyDelete