Lily leaf beetles are beetles that, despite their different appearance, are closely related to the Colorado potato beetle. Adult specimens grow to about 0.5-0.7 cm in size. The insects have a long body, black heads and legs, and brightly red, glossy thorax and elytra. The beetles begin their destructive activity as early as early spring, when they eat holes in the leaves of lilies, fritillaries, and other ornamental plants. They can also damage stems, flower buds, and flowers. Even more harmful are the orange, elongated-oval larvae, which bore into leaf plates shortly after hatching. The exceptionally high appetite makes the lily leaf beetle one of the most dangerous pests in the garden.
For minor infestations, manual collection of the beetles can help. For larger infestations of the pest, you should resort to an insecticide.
