red beetle on my lillies - Orchid Board

sii · #1 05-14-2011, 10:33 PM

Oh, I could just scream. It's happening again! These red beetles get onto my lillies (asiatic - sp.?) and chomp on the leaves.

Last summer I went out almost every day to pick them off and kill them. Then I sprayed them with water and palmolive. Hand to do this almost everyday. I got ZERO blooms. I read about Neem oil, but i think it's illegal in Canada.

Any ideas?

RobS · #2 05-15-2011, 02:49 AM

Unfortunatly the only thing you can do is capture by hand. I have to say I think it's a very pretty beetle.

Scarlet lily beetle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

lambelkip · #3 05-15-2011, 01:23 PM

you could try Bayer Provado Ultimate Bug Killer, if that's available in your area.
Or you could pick off the bugs every day.
Neem oil is not registered for pesticide use in Canada, but it is available in some garden centers as a "leaf shine" product. if it happens to kill pests in the process of shining up your leaves, I don't think anybody will complain.

Tindomul · #4 05-15-2011, 01:31 PM

There is always something that wants to eat your plants. Makes me crazy!

sii · #5 05-15-2011, 08:38 PM

I usually don't mind bugs. I know they are part of the overall life cycle, but I draw the line when it comes to my plants.

It would be nice to have something to look at when I sit in my backyard. I'll have to take a look at the local hardware store and look for some 'leaf shine'. ;-)

Vanda lover · #6 05-15-2011, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sii

Oh, I could just scream. It's happening again! These red beetles get onto my lillies (asiatic - sp.?) and chomp on the leaves.

Last summer I went out almost every day to pick them off and kill them. Then I sprayed them with water and palmolive. Hand to do this almost everyday. I got ZERO blooms. I read about Neem oil, but i think it's illegal in Canada.

Any ideas?

I don't think that neem oil is illigal in Canada, unless something has changed. I used to buy it in health food stores in Ontario. I have found that the best thing I've tried is hot peppers and garlic put through a blender with some water and strained through a coffee filter. Then I add a little trounce or dish soap and spray it on. the garlic helps to repel them quite well, and I use it for my orchids as well. Be careful not to inhale it, it's powerful if you get real hot peppers. I have also used hot sauce if I didn't have peppers.

Junebug · #7 05-28-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sii

Oh, I could just scream. It's happening again! These red beetles get onto my lillies (asiatic - sp.?) and chomp on the leaves.

Last summer I went out almost every day to pick them off and kill them. Then I sprayed them with water and palmolive. Hand to do this almost everyday. I got ZERO blooms. I read about Neem oil, but i think it's illegal in Canada.

Any ideas?

I feel your pain!!! I'm having a similar problem with little notcher weevils and sri lankin weevils. I haven't found anything that kills the adults and the type I'm dealing with have no natural enemies. Their young develop underground and my current line of defense is to treat/kill them at this more vulnerable stage...while they're feeding on roots and before they reach the adult leaf/petal munching stage. For this method to be effective you must try to determine when (what months) they're feeding underground. I did a ground treatment for grubs last year but my timing was off. Apparently their hatching stages coinside with temperature and rainfall. You'll need to research your specific type of beetle along with what time of year they're predicted to hatch in your specific area. Good luck!

sii · #8 05-28-2011, 08:00 PM

I don't know if its because we've been having some cool, rainy weather, but the bugs have disappeared (for now, I'm sure) The leaves still look great and no sign if the little buggers. I was at Home Depot last weekend and saw a product called leaf Shine which someone mentioned. It didn't list the ingredients, so I don't know if it has neem in it. I'm keep watching. ;-)

Junebug · #9 05-29-2011, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sii

I don't know if its because we've been having some cool, rainy weather, but the bugs have disappeared (for now, I'm sure) The leaves still look great and no sign if the little buggers. I was at Home Depot last weekend and saw a product called leaf Shine which someone mentioned. It didn't list the ingredients, so I don't know if it has neem in it. I'm keep watching. ;-)

Yes, they will disappear, but you'll likely see them again if they laid eggs. The eggs hatch and the grubs (babies) will feed on roots beneath the soil until they reach adulthood.