lily leaf beetle (red lily beetle)

Symptoms

Bright scarlet beetles (~6–8 mm) and their larvae chew large holes and notches in leaves, buds and flowers, often defoliating a stem rapidly; the soft orange larvae disguise themselves under a wet shiny coat of their own black excrement; eggs are tiny orange streaks on the leaf underside.

Plants affected

• lily

Common questions

How do I recognise lily leaf beetle (red lily beetle) on lily?

Bright scarlet beetles (~6–8 mm) and their larvae chew large holes and notches in leaves, buds and flowers, often defoliating a stem rapidly; the soft orange larvae disguise themselves under a wet shiny coat of their own black excrement; eggs are tiny orange streaks on the leaf underside.

Do I have to report lily leaf beetle (red lily beetle)?

No. lily leaf beetle (red lily beetle) is not a notifiable organism, so there is nothing to report to an authority. Treat it as a normal garden problem.

How is lily leaf beetle (red lily beetle) treated?

Mainly with biological and cultural measures — removing affected material, changing the conditions that favour it, and treating with agents approved in your country. The exact steps and their timing depend on the plant, the season and where you live: Dr. Phyto works them out in a free diagnosis.