The Battle Against Red Lily Beetles and Where They Were Hiding
Image Credit: Charles J Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Lilies are a cherished addition to our Zone 3 gardens here in Northern Alberta. With their vibrant colors and graceful blooms, they establish well, thrive through our short growing season, and best of all—they’re tough. Unlike many other bulbs, lily bulbs don’t need to be dug up each fall. They endure the harsh winter and even multiply, rewarding gardeners with more beauty each passing year. But with beauty comes the beast— the red lily beetle ( Lilioceris lilii ). First Signs of Invasion Last year, I noticed these striking but destructive beetles on my lilies, along with their unsightly larvae. That’s when the war began. These beetles may look pretty in their brilliant scarlet armor, but they’re anything but welcome. As soon as you approach the plant, they drop to the ground and lie on their backs, becoming nearly invisible against the soil. Sneaky and frustrating. The red lily beetle lays tiny red eggs in neat...