[Sleepingpopman]

  Morning Everyone
We have a large tube planted up with quite tall orange lilies, this year they are full of buds, not far from opening but we noticed yesterday that there are some black lumps attached to the underside of the leaves , they look like little lumps of soft mud I presume they are eggs. Are they safe to leave on the plant, if not what do we use to get rid of them safely ?? Any advise would be greatly received. 
Keith/Sharon

[mumofstig]

If they're eggs squash them before they hatch!

[A Reyt Tayty]

They are the eggs of the Lily beetle, disguised as excrement. I jest ye not. Give the lillies a shake and I expect you will get some bright red beetles dropping off. I also bet you have some eliptical holes in the leaves of the lillies.

[Aunt Sally]

They are really YUCK.

The beetles are beautiful though 

[snowdrops]

The beetles are bright red,if you knock them off the leaves they land upside down & stay like that so you can't see them. I pick them off drop them & squash them. Not nice I know but they will devastate the plants.

[Sleepingpopman]

Hi Everyone 
Many thanks for you replies, I do remember seeing the red beetles on them but didn't give them another thought. Looks like we'll be out there doing a bit of squashing then.   
Once again thanks. 
Keith/Sharon
 

[Debz]

My six year old nephew has been trained in the art of collection and dispatch when it comes to the lilly beetles.  My mothers plants have been decimated the last few years.  Harrison is making quite effective pest control this year and my little boy (3 years old) is learning now too.

[A Reyt Tayty]

I've just been sqishing lots of the larvae disguised as excrement. Messy job and doesn't half stain your hands. The larvae are a lovely shade of green.

[Mrs Bee]

They are really YUCK.

The beetles are beautiful though 

Even more beautiful when squished into a pretty pattern on the patio.

Double points if you find a pair canoodling and squish 2 together

Rosemary beetles are prettier, they shine with an irridescent sheen.
They are harder to squish tho'.

[Trillium]

I'd be wearing garden gloves.

[mumofstig]

Double points if you find a pair canoodling and squish 2 together

High score yesterday then  let's hope I've got all the little Bs this time!

[Mrs Bee]

Double points if you find a pair canoodling and squish 2 together

High score yesterday then  let's hope I've got all the little Bs this time!

Are you a snail stamper too?
I have been known to take twice as long walking home on damp days 'cos I stop to dance on the snails.

[Trillium]

I've been snail stomping as well. With all the rain we got this spring, the snail population exploded.

[Mrs Bee]

We need more thrushes. They used to be common in the gardens when I was young. Can't remember the last time I saw one.

[Lulu]

I've got some of those nasty yucky lumps on my lily's to and they are gross    I was wondering exactly what they were but had my suspicions.  Nasty things - however the lily's are now blooming and look great.