InsectXaminer Episode 2 is Now Available!
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/education-events/insectxaminer
A free short video series highlighting the incredible world of insects!
The InsectXaminer short video series hopes to increase the visibility of the beautiful world of insects, even those we consider to be pests in our managed landscapes. InsectXaminer will showcase the complexity of insect life cycles, cataloging as many life stages for each species as possible. The goal of this series is to provide professionals and land managers with footage that is helpful for learning the identification of insects throughout the season, rather than at any single point in their life cycle. Proper identification is key to successful management. If possible and caught on camera, important aspects of their biology and natural enemies will be revealed.
Join UMass Extension as we observe these incredible organisms and look into a world that, while it happens all around us, sometimes goes unseen!
Now is the time to scout for lily leaf beetle adults! As soon as host plants break through the ground (Lilium spp. and Fritillaria spp.) and leaves are available, overwintered and bright red adult lily leaf beetles will begin to feed on foliage. Check out Episode 2 of InsectXaminer to learn more about the life cycle of this beautiful, but destructive pest of true lilies!
Episode 2 - Lily Leaf Beetle (Lilioceris lilii)
Lily leaf beetle was first reported in the United States in 1992 in Cambridge, MA. This invasive insect from Europe and Asia is a pest of true lilies (Lilium spp.) and fritillarias (Fritillaria spp.). Daylillies (Hemerocallis spp.) are not hosts for lily leaf beetle. While this insect can be found on other plants (Solomon's seal, hostas, and others), it is not known to reproduce and complete its life cycle on these species and causes little damage. On true lilies, however, it can be a significant pest and cause extensive damage to many susceptible species and hybrids. Eggs, larvae, and adults are showcased here. Pupation occurs in the soil. An interesting defense strategy of the larvae is shown.
