http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...
Any one else dealing with these, they are destroying my Lilies. First year I have ever seen them.

Lots of places have major infestations of them, Bob. Maybe @ge1836 will see this and respond with her treatment that works.

This may help, Bob: http://lilybeetletracker.weebl...

I have heard a lot of good things about using parasitic wasps. It said on wikipedia that the neem oil spray would kill the larva but you got to do it every seven days, that stuff is good for mites too and is non toxic for bees. I think I will use it every week next year to help with the mite population too.
I will be watching this thread so I can do some preventive maintenance, I was reading about the rosetta disease and learned that a lot of mites over winter in canes so I think I will be removing canes and doing more cleaning this year. I can buy seeds for the birds, no problem. Just in case any lily beatles lay eggs in my canes.

Hi virginiarose,

Does the neem act systemically as well? I found four beetles this year, two alive on an urchida, and an immature dead one. No larvae at all.

Peter

I was not aware of that! Great news!

I have never read anything that indicates that, systemics are feed through the roots and neem oil is applied topically.

Gardeners fall into two catagories,Organic ( wouldnt use artificial products ) and those who use insecticides.

While I love my garden it isnt the all consuming center of my life ,maybe 60 %. There are too many lilies here to hand pick the red devils.
I use pesticides because its easier and does a better more thorough job.

I have nothing against anyone hand picking the red beetles off the plants or squeezing the larvae with its excrement on its back, between their fingers. Ugggg. I cant wait for the wasp to migrate here and save me the trouble of hauling the sprayer around.
I just use a pesticide twice a year and the beetles are pretty much controlled.

I have had great luck with Sevin and Bayer 12 month Tree and Shrub spray.

In early spring when the lilies are just poking above the soil, I spray the tops and around the ground where they are emerging. I have been told the larvae are living near the emerging stems and both pesticides will kill them.
I also spray in mid season. The beetle has a two phase life cycle and lay new eggs about the time the Asiatic lilies are blooming.
This is better than a weekly beetle check and killing. There are 500 lily stems in any season here.It would not leave me time for any other duties.
I dont do a second spray mid summer unless I see the beetles or new signs of activity

I soaked the pots in a seaweed drench and added a bit of neem oil to the mix as an experiment. I thought I would ask whether the neem acted systemically as I haven't used it before.

Don't have much of a lily beetle problem, but put in another hundred lilies this year so wanted to ask around just in case it is heading my way.