| 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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