Lily Beetle Lilioceris lilii
A member of the Chrysomelidae family (leaf and flea beetles) the striking red and black Lily Beetle is around 8-10mm long depending on sex (females larger) It is a pest species and has spread rapidly throughout the UK. Both the adults and larvae can cause considerable damage to Lilies and Fritillaries by defoliating them, but in heavy infestations the flowers, seed capsules and stems will also be eaten. The Lily Beetle is not native to the UK, but has been accidentally imported into the country on several occasions in the past and recently reached as far north as Scotland. The adults spend the Winter in the soil or amongst leaf litter and start feeding in the following March or when the weather warms up.

More recently, we have started to find this beetle away from urban gardens, with records coming from the middle of woodland at Bradmer Hill near Market Warsop and the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre in May 2012.

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UK distribution of Lilioceris lilii
 

The UK distribution maps on eakringbirds.com are provided by the National Biodiversity Network (NBN Gateway) Each red square on the map indicates species present in 10km grid squares.

Updated September 2011

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