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Those who are really interested in nature - even if perhaps naive enough to believe in their absolute innocence - might think that the small hive beetle bright orange that suddenly materialized in their gardens is strikingly beautiful and perfectly harmless. Approximately the size of a ladybird relatively small, with no points, which almost looks like a shining sun itself on the leaves and flower buds emerging Asian and Oriental hybrid lilies.
In fact, the appearance of innocence and beauty... completely misleading, if not misleading. Early spring sun is not clear what he had in mind! Scarlet lily beetle. Asian Lily Beetle, aka Lily Leaf Beetle, concentrating all his attention on his belly and fill find a partner. If these two main objectives have been met, watch out! His beautiful lilies are about to disappear. And if you have any lily hybrids, but to concentrate on fruit and vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers (Solanaceae)are seriously threatened.
From where? Asian Lily Beetles first time in Boston a bit 'more than a dozen years, probably illegal plants from abroad ... China can import. Rapidly spreading throughout Massachusetts and points north, in 1999 had worked their way toward the New England coast in Brunswick, then the inside ... ultimately from the coast and more than a few miles west of navigation, lilies devastating, as they traveled. Are nowoccupied almost the entire agricultural sector and vegetables in several Eastern European states and three Canadian provinces, and to excel in my opinion - and many other horticultural / professionals Entomology - soon the population and crop damage done by the dreaded beetle Japanese (Popillia japonica).
Lily leaf beetle adults overwinter in the soil or plant debris in a correct, after the fall frosts. After the formation of the spring, they mate and quicklyDeposit 200-300 small deaf-orange eggs on the underside of the leaves in groups of two to ten. Hatch occurs in five to ten days after the larvae of 16 to 24 days, fast growing about twice as large as their parents. E 'at this point that they are feeding heavily. Highly vulnerable to insect predators in this "soft" phase of feeding, the larvae are consistent in their own sticky mud, excrement-like (feces) as a very effective defense against attack.Most gardeners describe as dirty, looked like little snails. If you scrape off the mud, you will see a soft, matte red beetles, whose wings cases harden too much.
To scan this number, either the larvae or fall on the ground where they pupate in cocoons secreted. In less than 25 days, a real out to start the process again. It can not be less than three generations, as in a season. To make matters worse, it is possible that the female beetles, which have deposited theirEggs for the season with a second winter survival, and another large clutch the next year. Let me do the math for you: A beetle Mature Female x 200 x 200 x 200 = 8,000,000 at a minimum. And that in our short growing season in New England. Alfred Hitchcock would have had a field day with me this issue!
What attack them? An all-time favorite food is Fritillary (Fritillaria sp.), But you see more frequently in Asians, Orientals, and Tiger Lily (Lilium sp.) Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis), Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum multiflorum), some vegetables, and occasionally other common garden perennials are, if their favorite is either not available or has already been consummated.
How are controlled? Best of all is a daily exploration of your garden, a collection of hand or the blink of an adult in a pan of soapy water or spray with products described below. There are two natural effect 'pesticides' in control> Asian Lily Beetles:
1. Neem, a pesticide derived from tropical plant biochemical substance neem. It affects the insect while in its larval stage, interrupting molting, and are selling well for adults.
2. Pyrethrins, a product of joint extracts Painted Daisy (Pyrethrum sp.), Can be sprayed on plants, both for the control of adult and larval stages. Pyrethrin I think the best choice.
I also noticed that resmethrin - a summaryThe form of pyrethrin formulations Foggers found in the garden - the larvae are destroyed.
All these insecticides are commonly used by large retailers and warehouse, garden center and less reliable "big box" stores. As always, read and write down all the information markers. Wear protective gloves when handling or wash thoroughly and apply when the job is finished. Even if they are as "natural" makes no sense in taking any chances with your health or that of your loved ones.
OneFinal thought: the real key to control the population of this new bad and very destructive in your garden, in the words of Alistair "Mad-Eye Moody fame of Harry Potter: constant vigilance! We need ruthless and relentless in our research and for the destruction of individual Asian Lily Beetle we meet! The future of hybrids and tiger lilies in our gardens depends on it.
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