Lily Beetle

Latin name: Lilioceris lilii

The Lily beetle is not a native of the UK, and was introduced many years ago, probably on imported bulbs. As the name suggests, this unmistakable insect lives on plants in the Lily family (Liliaceae), such as Lilies (Lilium sp) and Fritillaries (Fritillaria spp).

In the autumn, adult Lily beetles hibernate at the base of plants, and emerge the following spring. After mating the females lay orange eggs on the underside of leaves. The larvae that hatch are also orange with a black head, but look all black because they cover themselves with their own sticky, black excrement.

The adults are a shiny scarlet red, with black legs, and cannot be mistaken for any other beetle. Because all stages are very visible they are quite easy to remove.

The adult beetles can make a squeaking sound, which is quite audible from a couple of metres away.