[Eblana]

Lily beetles destroyed all my lilies last year (or so I thought).  While digging up Narcissus to move them from the plot to my garden, I found loads of Lily bulbs which look fairly healthy although they have no top growth on them. I washed all the soil off them and they look to be firm with no obvious damage or disease on them.  If I plant them will they be okay?  Should I plant them in pots to see if anything comes of them or am I running the risk of introducing lily beetle to my garden?

[mumofstig]

They're good to plant, but Lily beetles WILL find them wherever you plant them.
You have to either pick them all off or spray them... the price you pay for growing the lovely flowers, I'm afraid.

[Debz]

I thought spray didn't do anything to lily beetle and you have to pick the beasties off and dispose of them.  If it's the red ones, pop your hand underneath them because they throw themselves off a plant if there is a threat and lie on their backs until you go.  Their underneath is dark so they are difficult to see on the ground.

[mumofstig]

There are a few sprays that work

Adult beetles and grubs can be controlled, and plants protected, by spraying with Provanto Ultimate Bug Killer, Resolva Bug Killer or BugClear Ultra; the larvae are more susceptible than the adults.

http://www.gardenforumhorticulture.co.uk/pestwatch/lily-beetle.htm

[Eblana]

Ah that is brilliant as they were really lovely ones I had bought over a number of years at various RHS shows and I was really upset last year when they were attacked by the lily beetle.  Thankfully haven’t found them in the garden yet but I do stay vigilant for them.  I have just planted the bigger bulbs in the border and the smaller ones I have popped into large pots.