Lily beetles

I was fighting spider mites on my minature roses (rosa chinensis, grown from seed) all winter, because they were indoors. You can spot them quite easily because your leaves turn yellow and curl and you can also see minute webs. I found that if I gacve them a cold blast of water every day for a few days, and then monitor them, that it did the trick. I think that they were red.

Perrenial, it makes me cringe that you have the beatles. Jamaica Plain is so gorgeous, it doesn't seem right.

Donna

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Donna, we've had lily beetles for years now. They decimated the first lilies I ever planted here, so I swore off lilies for several years, then started adding them back slowly, crossing my fingers and keeping a lookout and jar of oily water handy to do them in on sight. So far so good, but last fall I got carried away and planted lots of new varieties, so we'll see what happens. I have neem oil on hand, in case I have to use it.
How do you know Jamaica Plain?

Perennial,

I've been to Arnold Arboretum and am a supporter. I went to school in that area and loved it so that my husband and I honeymooned there, went for a trip for, let's just say a significant birthday, and I was flown out there for a meeting and my husband was able to join me. And my husband ran the Boston Marathon a couple of years back. I think it's one of the most beautiful areas of the country. And the people seem really cool.

Donna

Funny how we don't appreciate what we have. I've never thought of the Boston area as particularly beautiful. It's partly where I grew up, and I somehow ended up back here, I believe because I wasn't adventurous enough to find out where I really wanted to be.
I took someone to Arnold Arboretum yesterday, forgetting it was Lilac Sunday - the one day that there's nowhere to park for miles, and you can't walk in the Arboretum without bumping into someone- but the lilacs were gorgeous, as were the redbuds and rhodos in bloom. I don't go there nearly often enough.

Sharon

Sharon,

I think that the experiences of a college student and a tourist don't capture the flavor of day to day. I came back to Chicago because I couldn't find a job out there that would allow me to eat AND have a roof. Other people tell me how great Chicago is and I say, oh, sure.

We were at AA very early in the morning. NO ONE was there. And we used the subway/el (?) to get there. We find your equivalent of the el/subway vastly superior to ours because you can use it to get to the suburbs and it's cheap. You can't do that in Chicago. You can't get from the equivalents of Cambridge to Boston to Jamaica Plain on one fare. You have to drive, or take a bus and train (much more expensive) to get there because the systems aren't connected.

And someone figured out in your neck of the woods that just because buildings are not new doesn't mean they are worthless. I love the old architecture out there.

So, I really admire your part of the country. I guess it has to do with where you started and what you wanted. I'm sure peopple would be shocked at my ho-hum attitude toward Chicago.

Donna

Donna,
Cambridge to Boston to JP is only five miles, so it shouldn't cost much, but it's a lot more now than it was a few years ago. And were you here for the old Harvard Square, before The Gap, Crate & Barrell, etc. moved in and modern taller buildings replaced the old ones? It used to be quaint and funky, but now it's more of these large concrete and glass rectangles. Not too charming, and becoming less so all the time. I hardly ever go there anymore.

I don't mean to be negative here. You can still go to the arboretum on a weekday and have it mostly to yourself.

Sharon

Sharon,

You're not being negative. I hear you, and I agree. I date myself, but I was first there in the mid to late 70's, and I adored it. I've returned at least once each decade. And yes, it was delightfully quaint and funky, and it was safe, which was fabulous. None of that stuff you mention was there. We have those large glass rectangles too, taking over the landmark architecture on the Magnificent Mile. The latest abomination is Trump Tower, right on the river where you can't miss it, the ugliest thing you've ever seen. I probably go back to the things I remember, like churches and graveyards from the 1700's that are still there, and the greens.

Thank goodness that what our two hometowns have in common is that they value open green space. Not something a lot of cities have.

Donna

I've been becoming more aware that we have more green space than a lot of cities, because I rent a furnished room in my apartment on a temporary basis to out-of towners who come to do research or whatever, and they tell me such things. My current tenant is a grad student in Philadelphia, and she says there's hardly any green space there. I was really surprised.

Penn,

Oh, I've been to Philadelphia on a couple of business trips, and there is virtually no green space. Western Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is gorgeously picturesque, with rolling hills and tons of green. It's very counter to the image that it has.

Donna

Hi - I work for a major flower bulb importer...I have been sympathizing with customers for several years after their beloved lilies have been wiped out before their eyes...today I am empathizing with them, I have found my first bleep bleep red lily leaf beetle. You better believe that I will use any AND all tactics that I have read about or heard from my customers. Almond oil, sevin, neem, Bayers Rose Spray, Pyrithins, hand to had combat and I like the tip on the jar of oil. My lilies number in the 100's and I intend to keep it that way. Edie

Hi Edie, welcome to DG!

Don't despair, Edie. It's possible it's only a few strays. Last year I only had a dozen or so, and got rid of them before any had a chance to lay eggs. 5 this year so far, but I haven't seen any the past week. I'll continue to be on the lookout and just use my jar of oily water unless I see quite a few more.

What we have going for us: their color makes them hard to miss - and they don't fly away or move too fast, making them easy to dispose of.

Won't the Bayer Lawn and Grub control work on these guys? It takes out Japanese Beetles, so why wouldn't it take out the Red Lily Beetle? Just curious.

Good question, Ticker!
I've only got about 12 lilies scattered around the yard and I'm having a devil of a time with the LB. Hand picking them off now. I've learned to not take my twice daily "tour" without my plastic box o' soap water.
I can only imagine the frustration of those of you with huge numbers of lilies feel.

Lora B.

Ticker, I prefer not to use toxins unless absolutely necessary for environmental reasons.

Lora, be sure to check the undersides of leaves for larvae. They're in what looks like dabs of mud. If they've started laying eggs, then I would probably spray the plants.

I prefer not to use toxins either, but sometimes.... :)

I sprayed with Bayer after a tour showed an extremely robust population yesterday. Tonight I only saw one...

And what about using the granules? Would that stop them from hiding in the dirt? or use the liquid as a drench?

At this time of year, I don't think granules would have much effect unless it is a systemic pesticide. And then you have to wait for it to be taken up into the plant itself. The beetles are all over the foliage. It might help if put down in the fall as they dive down for a winter's sleep.

How long are they active on the plant before dropping to the ground to burrow in and lay eggs?

Eggs are layed only on the lily leaves (or maybe plant). They do not overwinter as eggs. In addition, they might not overwinter in the soil your lilies grow in http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/lilyleafbeetle.html , rather perhaps, a more suitable location nearby.

Larvae "drop" to the soil to pupate, adults do not drop to lay eggs.
A pity, actually, because newly hatched larvae would be the most vulnerable to pesticldes.

Hi, these ##$$%% beetles like eating the 'tiger lillies' !
I bought some season long systemic poison to use on them and also on my perennial hibicus....
Beetles have disapeared ! Yea !!
Love the old tiger lillies with the seeds at base of leaves.
Don't know where this beetle came from but it can go back !!

They're worse this year than last (but could be because I have many more lilies in my yard to attract them). After discovering earlier today that several had escaped me in time to cover many undersides of leaves with their scummy larvae, I finally hunted down the neem oil I bought last fall, and I'm giving that a try. I was also surprised to discover that with a choice of many types of lilies, including plenty of asiatics, their first choices were pardalinum and the tiger lilies (the ones with bulbils).

Oh, but their favorite is those expensive martagons! It's like a holiday dinner to them!

Is it? I guess that figures. I think I have a few martagon babies - just single leaf ones - if they're still there. Those are probably the choicest delicacy of all - and I imagine devourable in one or two bites. I would love to have a few martagon adults some day. Guess we'll have to see who wins.

Fight back! If you want lilies in New England, you can't quit!

I will! You'll hear my war cry all the way up in the north country!!!

Way to go all !!!
If we all got together we will take back the lilly fields !!

I've still found the best way to get rid of lily beetles (and japanese beetles and aphids) is the nontoxic bitter spray. It keeps away the rabbits too. They rabbits and deer only want the tasty buds. Bitter apple spray from the pet store works well. When I give container plants of lilies, I also give a small bottle of bitter apple spray. My sister sprays it on indoor flowers because her cat otherwise eats them. Now when she gets flowers and sprays them, she can hear the cat going "ptooeey." Most pet stores will carry some form of bad tasting stuff to keep animals from chewing on an irritation.

Also, the nursery has this stuff in a big pink sprayer called "super repellant." You can also buy super repellant in the concentrate form and mix it yourself. It is a mixture of essential oils and smells of clove. Two caveats: you must shake it to keep it emulsified during the spray process; and if you buy the concentrate, you MUST dilute it appropriately and remember to shake it. If it is too concentrated, it will burn the leaves within a couple of hours. (We tend to learn the hard way.) However, it works well, and you will only need to spray for new growth. The oil is not affected by rains. I would not use anything toxic or systemic as we also grow tomatoes and additional above ground veggies like squash and cucumbers as well as herbs.

This is my first lily, a hymenocallis, and the first time ever planted (also called a peruvian daffodil). No beetles, on these at all since they are not true lilies, but members of the amaryllis family.

Rooting you all on in your war against the dastdardly LBs! Still checking twice a day and no signs yet.

geraldine87, do you remember the name of the season long systemic you used?

So far they haven't made it here, but I want to be ready to fight when I need to!

Good morning Goldfinch, sorry so long to answer you....I used 'BayerAdvanced 12 month Tree and Shrub Protect & Feed", and it does work!!
As soon as you see little holes or something eating your lillies put it on....I also put it on a tree that gets webs of worms and it is clear!!
I don't eat any of my flowers and no septic system to worry about. I just enjoy the beauty of the colors and scents.
It is pricey, cost about $20 but Rocky's carries it and sometimes has rebates. Got mine at Lowe's, I work there part time and used my discount. Since it works all season was worth it!! Also put it on my perennial hibiscus...I use the 4 in 1 Bayer for my roses and it works great.
I like the long lasting ingredients, less work for me.

Thanks for the response. Like I said, I don't have them yet.... (famous last words, right?)

I think they have only gotten as far as NY so far. Anyone want to report how far away they have gotten?

They are confirmed in AB.