Lily Beetle

[julesapple]

I have pineapple lilies and turkshead lilies in a tub on my patio and I keep finding these scarlet lily beetles.

Despite the fact that the little swines are eating my turksheads to pieces, I think they're rather lovely.....my chooks feel the same way too, and they are munched up as soon as they are spotted.

This isn't my photo btw.

Jules

[Sweepster]

They look like a tart's false nails

(p.s. apologies if I'm telling you something you already know, Jules, but lilies are very toxic to cats - including the pollen if they get it on their fur and then ingest it - and I know how keen kittens tend to be about investigating EVERYTHING!)

[Two_Sheds]

The adult is quite handsome, but have a look in my blog at the larvae ... not quite so appealing

[elizajay]

When you spot a lily beetle on the plant approach it very quietly and before you try to grab it put a hand below it as they fall off the plant when under threat. If you don't catch it it will lie upside down on the ground so you can't spot it.