The beetle first feasts on the underside of a lily leaf.
A strong flier that moves easily from one area to another, the lily leaf beetle initially feeds on the leaves of a lily before moving to the flowers and stems. They can be controlled by handpicking eggs, adults and larvae or through chemical means. Research is ongoing to find effective natural enemies of the bug. Does this Spark an idea?
History
The lily leaf beetle has no natural North American enemies. Native to Europe, it is believed to have been accidentally introduced into Montreal around 1945 and was first spotted in the Cambridge, Mass., area in 1992. The lily leaf beetle has now spread throughout all of the New England states. It feeds on several species of plants but will only lay eggs and mature on the Liliuim species which includes tiger, Easter and Oriental lilies.
Identification
The lily leaf beetle claims a bright red body accentuated by a black head, legs and antennae. Measuring approximately one-half of an inch in length, the beetle attempts to deter predators and humans by emitting a squeaking noise if it is touched. The larvae look like slugs and have bodies that come in a variety of colors. These immature beetles carry their own excrement on their backs and cause more damage to the leaves of the lily than do the adults.
Enemies
The natural enemies of the lily leaf beetle appear to be several species of parasitoid that are effectively used as a biological control against the beetle in France and Switzerland, reports the University of Rhode Island. Parasitoids have been carefully released in the Boston and Rhode Island areas for research purposes, with additional studies ongoing--as of 2011--concerning potential lily leaf beetle enemies. The parasitoids are parasitic wasps. A species called Tetrastichus setifer has thus far shown to be the most effective.
Parasitoid Species
Areas in the northeastern U.S. where Tetrastichus setifer has been released have shown a significant decrease in the population of lily leaf beetles. This wasp is able to spread several miles from its release site, all the better for serving its role as the primary enemy of lily leaf beetles. A parasitoid species known as Lemophagus errabundus has also shown to be effective against the beetle, while another species called Diaparsis jucunda has displayed more problems in establishing a natural foothold in the region.
Tags: lily leaf, leaf beetle, lily leaf beetle, against beetle, have been, leaf beetles, leaves lily