Does anyone know what critter does this type of damage? I've got daylilies and a mini rose in the same area and haven't noticed the holes except on the lilies. Ladybug larvae are all over right now so I'm wanting to wait before spraying insecticides if possible for another couple of weeks.
that is the first sign of the dreaded red lily beatle. Look at the thread just above yours in the lily forum and you can get more details. Do not wait to eliminate these truly awful critters, or you won't have Lillies to enjoy. Good luck.
Whoops, now it's 3 below yours. :)
I've read that thread previously and again upon your suggestion. It doesn't fit completely, can't rule it out either. Thanks, I'll further investigate.
If you watch that Lily very carefully for the next few days, I'm (regretably) fairly certain you will see the beatle. It is a BRIGHT red. Don't let it get away, each one can lay about 350 eggs. Good luck again. :)
daiseycat,
The more I read the more I think you are right. Certainly would hate to wait and see all my first year lilies disappear before I take action. Still haven't seen a beetle but I'll be coming home with some Neem this afternoon and it sounds useful for lots of applications around here. I think there's some systemic imidacloprid in my shed I'll go hunt for.
I found this in my readings and had not seen it mentioned that neem is also systemic elsewhere (yet)....is this true?
"Neem oil makes the plants it touches taste bitter, so pests won't eat them, as a "contact" insecticide. Azadirachtin also interrupts insects' transitions between different stages of metamorphosis, such as growing from larvae to pupae. It prevents insects from developing a hardened exoskeleton. When the chemical gets absorbed through the roots of crops, it functions as a "systemic insecticide." That means crops don't need to be constantly re-sprayed."
Thanks
edited to say that quote come from Wisegeek site.
This message was edited May 25, 2010 7:13 AM
Gosh, I thought the red lily beetle was an east coast scourge. It's in Texas???
PLEASE taken pictures to identify and document the offending critter and / or its eggs. If it is the red lily beetle, that would be very bad news, as their population is currently only on the east coast of the US.
I went and bought some neem at a knowledgeable nursery today and none of the employees there had heard of these beetles. Of the dozens of articles I read through, none mentioned Texas so at first I didn't think it was the red lily beetles but figured it wouldn't hurt to use the neem anyway since something is munching on the leaves. I will call our county extension office this p.m. and let you folks know what they tell me.
I also checked the lilies thoroughly the stems, top and bottom of the leaves and the surrounding plants. Nothing resembling any of the pics I saw were on them. Only found gnats, aphids, lady bug larvae, moths and a few snails. Maybe it's some type of caterpillars.
Sunshine, I have read the same things about Neem Oil, but haven't used it myself. I can't find it, but I think I may have read something about earwigs leaving a hole like the one you have shown - have not read up on those. Here is an article which shows the beatle.-- mikesbackyardgarden.org/lilypest1.html -- Truly hope I'm wrong, but that "chomp" looks so familiar, also glad your being proactive. :)
I spray with 2 products.
Sevin,not for you naturalists who dont like chemicals
and Bayer Rose and flower insect spray. I start in the spring when lilies appear.
I do have some eating now because I cany kill all of them.Ihave killed 2 this month. I have too much at stake to go the seek and kill route.
Was "too much at stake" an intended pun?? I am up to 5 so far this season. I'm really pleased with the Bayer products. It's predicted to be record breaking heat today, so I'm off to give my gardens a refreshing morning drink. Have a great day. :)
It must have been a Geezer moment but thats me. I have over 100 varieties and over 300 bulbs to keep the RLB off.
I talked to our local county extension guy today in depth (found lots of topics to discuss besides red lily beetles), In Lubbock County of Texas there haven't been any reports of RLB. This fella was quite knowledgeable and easy to talk to, I'm certain there will be future occasions to call him up for a sounding board. Seems like a job I'd like to have.
I would expect your extension person to be very knowledgeable. Around here, where there is no question that these disgusting beetles exist, many nursery employees know nothing about them as their focus is seldom on lilies other than bulbs. When nurseries have lilies in pots, they have been grown elsewhere. To my knowledge, red lily beetles are only in the northeast, but there aer a host of other pests that can make dinner out of your favorite flowering (and filiage) plants.
