LILY BEETLE & other pests

ONE OF THE UNFORTUNATE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING RELATED TO THE LILY IS THAT THE FRITILLARY IS EQUALLY PRONE TO LILY BEETLE ATTACK. THE SCARLET BEETLES ARE ATTRACTIVE, BUT THAT CANNOT BE SAID OF THE EXCREMENT-COATED LARVAE THAT DAMAGE THE FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE. KEEP A SHARP EYE OUT FOR THE BEETLES AS SOON AS YOUR FRITILLARIES EMERGE. YOU HAVE TO BE QUICK AND NIMBLE – IF YOUR SHADOW FALLS ACROSS THEM, OR YOU MOVE THE STEM, THEY WILL FALL TO THE GROUND, BROWN BELLY UPWARDS, SO THEY ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. THE BEST METHOD IS TO POSITION A CUP JUST BELOW THEM, TAP THE PLANT AND CATCH THEM. THIS SHOULD BE DONE REGULARLY, OR ALTERNATIVELY YOU COULD USE A SYSTEMIC INSECTICIDE. SLUGS FIND EMERGING FRITILLARIES VERY TASTY, SO THE PLANTS NEED PROTECTION EARLY IN THE SEASON – A GENEROUS LAYER OF SHARP GRIT INCORPORATING A FEW WILDLIFE-FRIENDLY SLUG PELLETS SHOULD KEEP THEM AT BAY.