Lily Beetles

Bright scarlet-red beetle with a black head and legs, found on lilies and fritillaries; larvae are dull orange-brown, covered in their own excrement.

Overwinter as adults in soil, emerge in spring to lay eggs on leaf undersides; larvae feed for several weeks before pupating.

Adults and larvae chew leaves, buds, and flowers, rapidly defoliating plants if left unchecked.

Hand-pick adults and larvae regularly, checking leaf undersides. Beetles drop and play dead when disturbed, so catch them below the plant.

Inspect lilies frequently from early spring and remove eggs and larvae before populations build.