Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Now it's the lilies turn..

LavandeLavande Posts: 171
in Problem solving
First something munched the irises (and thanks for all your advice I did end up with a fairly good display and gorgeous scent).  Now it's the lilies are being munched.  it's not the red lily beetle - I diligently picked those off when I saw them but it's a similar destruction and I caught the culprit but have no idea what it is.  At first it looked like a small slug but then I realised that it was covered in gunge and washed it to reveal what looks like a fat grub.
Has anyone seen this before?
         




Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Those are the larvae of lily beetles  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited June 2021
    They start off as lines or clusters of tiny bright red eggs, usually laid on the underside of the lower leaves. They can be easily crushed and wiped off with the thumb if you catch them at that point.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • GearóidGearóid Posts: 198
    Yes, it's the larvae of the lily beetle, the vilest bug in the garden. That "gunge" is its own poo which it charmingly covers itself with. 
  • LavandeLavande Posts: 171
    Eugh yuck!! Thank you all very much for your replies. I can now spot a lily beetle from a mile off but it just didn't cross my mind for a second this was their larvae as it's nearly the same size as the beetle itself - and covered in poo too. How rude is that!
    Yes the vilest bug in the garden then followed by the rosemary beetle which plagues me every year (well not me personally but my rosemary and lavender).  Thanks again - I really appreciate your help and I'll look out for the red lines of red eggs ...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Just remove and squish the larvae. You'll find it really helps to keep numbers at bay. 
    We don't get troubled much by them here, but when we had a couple of milder winters and hot summers a few years ago, I had an infestation of them. Keeping on top of them at that point meant only one or two the following year. None this year.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LavandeLavande Posts: 171
    Thanks Fairygirl,  You must be delighted to have got rid of them.  I'll definitely keep on top of them now.  I've just been out squishing them and there are so many - also got a beetle which I thought had finished so I guess they are just starting then if I have found their larvae.  Have also squished at least 30 rosemary beetles which are also prolific.  
Sign In or Register to comment.