Bulbs: lily leaf beetle, 1 by debi_z

debi_z wrote:
i just browsed another article from the north american lily society quarterly bulletin, june 1, 2003. vol 57 no.2
"Progress Report on lily leaf beetle research for the north american lily society" by Dr. richard a. casagrande, university of rhode island.
he reported that in june 2002 the parasitoid, Tetrastichus setifer, was established in the release plats set up in various locations in eastern new england. in other words, one of the wasp that likes to dine on the "gross factor" .
a parasite is: An organism that grows and feeds on a second organism. It contributes nothing to the survival of the host.

parasiticus
Meaning: From the Greek parasitos, meaning one who eats at the table of another
LOL i kinda like that term. i can't however, fathom why any insect or little creature would want to dine on the "gross factor" and its host, is beyond my comprehension, but i sure am glad that they do. :-) hopefully, in my reading i'll be able to pass on more good news like this to you all.

oh one more interesting bit of knowledge from there studies. the parasitoids are only attracted to the lily leaves that have been already damaged by feeding. they are not attracted to other plants or even to undamaged lilies or lilies that are damaged by other agents. they are attracted to the....you got it the "gross factor", otherwise known as excrement, doo doo, caa caa, the "s" word, and i'm sure there are many other words for it too. :) anyhoo, the parasitoids do not attack other insect species. they have a very limited dining pallet. :-) if you go to a local parasitoid restaurant, under lily leaf beetle section you'll find only one course offered.
the "gross factor" - uncooked doo doo served on a live lily leaf beetle larvae.
small portion: newborn 5 day old
medium portion: 8days old
large portion: 12 days old
xtra large portion for that really hungry parasitoid: the 16- 24 day old
now that i've really grossed you out......;-)
happy gardening,
debi z and my little gardening buddy franklin

since i don't have a pic of the beetle or what i'm sure you really want to see the "gross factor", i'll put one in of my cute little franklin instead, wearing his patriotic bandana on this memorial weekend. ;-)