Lily help! - Ask Extension
Hello. Something is attacking my Lilies and it’s leaving holes in the leaves plus this black stuff shown in photos. It looks like some type of larva...
Knowledgebase
Lily help! #870199
Asked May 26, 2024, 6:45 PM EDT
Hello. Something is attacking my Lilies and it’s leaving holes in the leaves plus this black stuff shown in photos. It looks like some type of larvae is living in it. Please tell me what this bug is and how I can get rid of it. Thanks so much!
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
This appears to be damage caused by a lily leaf beetle, and the dark masses are the larva camouflaged with its own feces. I recommend hand-picking the adults and larvae and putting them into soapy water to destroy them. I am attaching an article with more information about this pest as well as alternatives to managing them. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/lily-leaf-beetle/
I hope this is helpful. Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
Ruth
This appears to be damage caused by a lily leaf beetle, and the dark masses are the larva camouflaged with its own feces. I recommend hand-picking the adults and larvae and putting them into soapy water to destroy them. I am attaching an article with more information about this pest as well as alternatives to managing them. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/lily-leaf-beetle/
I hope this is helpful. Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
Ruth