By Kev_rowley
east staffordshire,
United Kingdom 
hi all, had a stroll round the estate when i got in from work and noticed that something has taken a liking to my lilly leaves. a closer inspection revealed what looked like large lumps of caterpillar dung, when i removed some, i found it contained some type of larvae of differing sizes, the largest being about 7 or 8 mill in length and of a tan to browny orange colour. any ideas as to what the beasties may be and how threatening to the plants? never had any probs before. would they be connected to a red beetle that i have spotted? also never met before. thanks.
31 May, 2011
Answers
Sounds exactly like lily beetle & larvae - need squishing.
31 May, 2011
Before lunging at the parent lily beetle, carefully surround your plant with paper or kitchen towels as they have the habit of falling onto their backs and blending in with the earth thereby eluding a squish!
1 Jun, 2011
sounds like lily beetle! They need to be got rid of if you want any lily plants left.Good advice about using the paper to catch them on, or a pot to flick them in is just as good.
1 Jun, 2011
hi all thanks for the replies,bin out squidgeing everything that i could find on the leaves, will these beasties overwinter in the bulbs?
2 Jun, 2011
The red parent will lay eggs in Spring which will turn into the disgusting leaf-devouring infants - just keep an eye out for any sign of them and squish on sight!
3 Jun, 2011
Hello, it is more than likely the lily beetle, and the larvae actually carry there own dung on there backs, julien.
31 May, 2011