A pest that is consuming my lilies

by Erica
(Penacook, New Hampshire)

I'm needing to identify this bug and how to get rid of them. Every year the lilies are getting smaller. I believe they either turn into a slug type of pest or there is a slimy pest that takes over after these bugs disappear. I use a bag-a bug while these bugs are flying around. I also spend time grabbing them off the leaves if they don't slip away... and I also try gathering up those slug-like pests. They seem to only eat the lilies in one of my gardens. I have some stargazer lilies in a garden close by where I've seen some of them, as well, but they're mostly in just one garden where most of my lilies are.

Doug says you have red-lily beetle and you can read about it right here. Sorry but it's the biggest and most problematic pest of lilies. :-(




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A pest that is consuming my lilies

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devastated
by: tim p

I purchased a potted oriental lily 3 yrs ago, I repotted 2 yrs ago, leaving it in the same pot since- it seems repotting avoided the problem - this year, despite regularly cleaning the leaves of larvae during flowering, leaves are devastated by many many larvae. Not seen them previously
red bugs
by: Anonymous

Ilive in England and have never been bothered with these aciatic red lily bugs before .so where have they come from and how do I get rid
The Annoying Red Lily Beetle.
by: Anonymous

I have also encountered these little pests, that wreak havoc on my lilies, the best way to get rid of them is to spray the plant with Neem Oil, or Bayer's rose spray.

Also make sure to remove all of their larvae from the underside of the leaves that looks like black clumps of dirt, This feeds on your leaves until becoming mature and will completely destroy your lily. Good luck hope this helps.
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
by: angela

IT'S ONLY APRIL 11, AND MY GARDEN IS TOTALLY INFESTED WITH THESE BEETLES. LILIES ARE JUST POPPING THROUGH THE EARTH AND ARE LOADED WITH THEM. WE PICKED TWENTY TWO JUST THIS MORNING. THEY TOTALLY DESTROYED LAST YEARS BEAUTIFUL CROP. NOW BACK LATER TODAY AND THERE ARE A WHOLE BUNCH MORE. I DON'T WANT TO LET THEM GET THE BEST OF ME AND PULL ALL MY PLANTS, BUT I FEEL AS THOUGH I'M LOSING THE BATTLE. NEXT I'LL TRY THE NEEM METHOD TO SEE IF IT TRULY WORKS. ANY OPINIONS?
pests....
by: Carla

thanks Moni for the white cloth idea, I'll have to try that!
happy gardening!
Try This
by: Moni

Carla,
One other thing I read to try is to put a white cloth around the base of the lily before trying to catch them. Then if they fall as you try to grab them they fall on the cloth...they are easier to see and get ahold of.
Good Luck!
pesky pests
by: Carla

thats what I used last year, they are kind of hard to catch. Japanese beetles will die in soapy water too. I usually try the soapy water trick first with all pests because my boxer will lick just about anything you put out in her reach [she's a really good eater] Plus all the toads I find in the yard I move to the garden beds.
Soap Bucket
by: Moni

As Doug suggests, collect all that you can and put in a very soapy bucket. If you are diligent, they will disappear. Unless of course you next door neighbor is not killing theirs. Check out Dougs comments under Pests if it does not show up on this site. It is very thorough disscussion on this pest.
red lily beetle
by: Carla

I've found them in my bird bath that sits in the middle of mostly iris and peony's, and some lilies. Is there a way to get rid of them for good?
Red Lily beetle
by: Moni

That is a great photo of the beetle!
Sorry it is such a pest...it is so very colorful!
Hopefully it will stay in the New England States and not spread to the rest.

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