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.

Lily Beetles - where have they gone?

borgadrborgadr Posts: 718
in Problem solving
I was plagued by lily beetles in spring - first on the imperial fritillaries very early in the season, then on the tree lilies and the Lilium regale.  I was finding and dispatching at least 1 or 2 most days all through the spring. And looking for eggs under leaves and crushing them.

Then it all stopped. Must be at least 6 weeks since I've seen one. I've been looking out for the larvae (they cover themselves in poo, right?), but nothing. And no signs of leaves being munched

Is this normal? Do they just breed then die? Or is it possible I killed them all off (surely more would just fly in?). I don't use any form of pesticide anywhere in the garden. 
«1

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @borgadr I haven't seen many either. Slugs and snails very limited. Also far less ants and only a few ladybirds. Plenty of other insects and butterflies. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    They’re all down here, 😀.  Lily beetle, slugs snails,  I’m about to give up on gardening altogether.
    The ‘safe’. Slug pellets get eaten for a pastime. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • borgadrborgadr Posts: 718
    Interesting.  I wonder why the lily beetles disappeared down here and for @GardenerSuze in South Notts.  Maybe the very dry weather over the last few months that we both have in common (and maybe unlike @Lyn in Devon?).  Still, surprised (but of course not disappointed) that this would do for them.

    @GardenerSuze - plenty of ants down here though, or at least let's say a normal amount. I agree with less ladybirds though (maybe the drought means less aphids for them? Plenty of aphids on my potted dahlias, but then they get watered almost daily..).
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @borgadr My lawn is often crawling in flying ants at some point in the summer. Mowing the lawn can be like going up and down hills. This year I can see no disturbance at all. If it every rains then maybe things will change
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Not been dry here except for 5his past couple days,  even now our night temp will only reach around 9°.
    Caught a copulating pair of lily beetles today.

    The slugs will be less once the ground dries out,  they go deeper and stay there.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I still keep finding odd ones that I pick off and crush, and one or two must have mated before I crushed them because I have had to wipe off a few revolting larvae off the leaves.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I am in Cornwall and there has definitely been far fewer lily beetle this year. Only picked off a couple very early on. Not many ladybirds. Plenty of slugs and snails though.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    There are plenty here in Buckinghamshire I assure you .Couldn’t keep up with them ,all my lilys are gone now ,have dug up the bulbs and will try again next year .
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    I have been waging constant war with lily beetles since my lilies first poked their heads above ground. Having waited a year for my turks head lilies to appear I was extra vigilant with the beetles on that, making it a twice daily mission and every time I was passing to look for and kill them.  But they really did for it - decimating the leaves and a very poor showing of flowers.   Another lily, in a pot of three, was covered in larvae, which I removed with the help of some kitchen paper.  Turned my back and the whole plant was covered again and now eaten.   I'll remove those and plant something else in that pot for next year.  
    I have more lilies - all have had lily beetles on them but they don't seem to have done too much damage to those.
    Lily beetles disappeared? I wish!
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    You and me both didyw
Sign In or Register to comment.