Lily Beetle and Butterflies

[Lyn and Malcolm]

The warm weather the last couple of days has brought out the first three Lily beetle of the year. Despite the cold in January, they have appeared two weeks earlier than last year. One was on a Lillium candida, and the other two on a Frittilaria imperialis lutea.

We were much happier to see several butterflies today, a Peacock which actualy looked quite fresh but much too early to be this years, a Comma which was very tatty so would have been last years, and a Brimstone.

Malcolm

[ideasguy]

Begorrah, Malcolm (its St Paddys day) you are a man of many parts
(In Spike Milligans famous quote it goes "few of them working", but definitely not the case here!)

How can those critters be so stupid to infest plants belonging to Inspector Gadget. How could you detect such things otherwise 
Ok, share with us please, what sort of gadgetry did you use?

(better check the label on that Frittilaria imperialis lutea - those Lily beetles seem to be confused)

Seriously, I'm impressed with your astute observations, Malcolm!

[Lyn and Malcolm]

Ok, share with us please, what sort of gadgetry did you use?

Just something we were all born with "Eyes"

Thankfully the Lily beetle in adult stage is bright red 

But it does have a trick up it's sleeve, if it detects the enemy trying to catch it, it will fall off the plant and land belly up, which is a dark colour, may be hidden just enough not to be found. But the enemy has a little trick up it's sleeve too, a cupped hand held under the plant will normally catch the descending beetle. 

As you probably know, the beetles go for both Lily and Frittilaria, whatever label we put on them.

Enjoy the rest of St Paddys day.

Malcolm

[ideasguy]

A good reply to a flippant posting!

Do you use any other means of control of the Lily beetles?

[Lyn and Malcolm]

Do you use any other means of control of the Lily beetle

Just thumb and forefinger George 

Malcolm