Lily Beetle: Treating Infestations

How to recognise the lily beetle?

The presence of lily beetles can be noted in two ways:

• By observing them: it is a stunning little bright red beetle, about 1 cm long, with black legs, abdomen, and long antennae. They are often seen on the undersides of leaves from March to October. The bright orange eggs of the lily beetle can also be spotted on the undersides of leaves: they are arranged in small groups along the veins. These hatch into black and orange larvae, which cover themselves in excrement to hide and protect themselves from the heat.

• By their effects: their larvae feed on the roots of lilies, while the adults devour the leaves, creating holes, as well as the flowers and flower buds. The plants weaken and eventually die if the infestation is not controlled.

Unfortunately, all varieties can be affected, but Lilium candidum is among the most vulnerable, while Martagon lilies are slightly less targeted. Lily beetles also attack, to a lesser extent, alliums, fritillaries, and the giant lily Cardiocrinum.

Lily beetles reproduce very quickly. A female can lay up to 400 eggs per season. Therefore, as soon as you spot the first beetles, it is crucial to act immediately to control their population.

What are the natural treatments against the lily beetle?

The most effective method is manual collection and destruction of adult beetles. To curb the infestation, it’s ideal to check daily, early in the morning, for several weeks. Be careful, as when you try to collect them, lily beetles tend to drop to the ground and play dead to become less visible… Collecting eggs and larvae is also possible. Remember to turn over the leaves to search for the orange eggs on their undersides.

You can also collect and burn leaves affected by the larvae.

Some gardeners apply coffee grounds at the base of attacked stems or spray a solution based on pyrethrum or neem oil. It is also possible to spray a tansy infusion, whose smell repels lily beetles. However, to date, no treatment has proven completely effective. We therefore recommend prioritising manual collection.