The Red Menace - _TNY_3732
The scarlet lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii) eats just about any part of lilies and fritillaries and I'm currently waging a war against them in the garden.
This specimen was removed from the lily, photographed and then summarily executed.
Sitting on the lilies they are easy to see, but when sensing danger they drop to the ground and turn red side down making them quite difficult to spot.
Another interesting thing about them is that when you pick them up they create a faint whining noise which sounds almost like a little scream of protest to being picked up.
There is a close relative of L. lilii, namely L. merdigera which prey on innocent onions, garlic and chives instead (www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/29481620650/).
The Red Menace - _TNY_3732
The scarlet lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii) eats just about any part of lilies and fritillaries and I'm currently waging a war against them in the garden.
This specimen was removed from the lily, photographed and then summarily executed.
Sitting on the lilies they are easy to see, but when sensing danger they drop to the ground and turn red side down making them quite difficult to spot.
Another interesting thing about them is that when you pick them up they create a faint whining noise which sounds almost like a little scream of protest to being picked up.
There is a close relative of L. lilii, namely L. merdigera which prey on innocent onions, garlic and chives instead (www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/29481620650/).