Crafty Threads 'n' Yarns

Civilknit · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:19 pm Post subject: Lavender/Rosemary beetles

Here's a bit of a warning for anyone who hasn't come across them yet.

A few weeks ago we were tending our new(ish) front garden and I noticed all these really pretty beetles on the lavender. They are the same size and shape as ladybirds and have really lovely irridescent green and bronze stripes. "Are they harmful?" says he "Oh I shouldn't think so" says I "they're too pretty".....

Well, I've since found out (hopefully not too late to save my beautiful lavender hedge) that these pretty little bugs make voracious little maggots that eat up all the lavender, rosemary, sage and thyme that they can get at. They are quite new to this country, which is why I've never seen them before.

You can use insecticide - but I am loathe because of the problems that bees are having at present - so am having to overlook their lovely appearance and pick them off whenever I see them (ususally when it's nice and sunny) and squash them in the hopes that they won't have already bred and laid eggs.

Glynis · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 6:23 am Post subject:

Thankyou for the warning Civilknit. As we're both in the same part of the country it's quite likely that our garden is also at risk.
I wonder if there is something they DON'T like that can be planted alongside the things they do?
_________________

Yes I can!

franney · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 7:03 am Post subject:

Oh dear! I have a beautiful lavender bush out the back, i shall keep an eye out for them, although i'm not entirely sure what i'll do to get rid of them cos i am beetle phobic, i am unable to squish things and i don't use insecticide either Shocked

There's no hope for me is there Laughing

On a similar note: My M-i-L has a terrible problem with lily beetles every year, they are little red ones, more of a beetle shape than a ladybird shape. She has to check under all the leaves for the ggs, scrape them off and try and squish the beetles before the larvae eat the buds Sad

I think they are a fairly new aquisition, probably only the last five years or so, if that Confused

_________________

Piglottie · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:06 am Post subject:

I have huge problems with lily beetles too (red ones and slimer than ladybirds). They are quite new to this country and I watched a thing on Gardener's World which was saying how devastating they are going to be. I know they have probably ruined my lilies for this year Sad

_________________

franney · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:11 am Post subject:

Aww

Lillies are such beautiful plants too
_________________

Alice · Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 770 Location: Staffordshire

They have already completely destroyed 2 bushes of rosemary in my daughters London garden.
_________________
Kathryn
KathrynsKnitting

franney · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:37 pm Post subject:

Oh NO! I am near London, i hope they don't come this way Sad

I've been out and had a look but other than an occasional brown bud where something else has got it, it looks OK so far. I love my lavender, i really hopei avoid the beetles Sad

_________________

Civilknit · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 1:39 pm Post subject:

Glynis, I've looked on the internet and there doesn't seems to be either a plant that deters them or a natural predator (apart from birds) in this country.

Franney - you're going to have to get tough if they come your way - apparently the grubs are voracious.

franney · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 7:10 am Post subject:

I was at a friends house yesterday looking at her ravaged lillies when i saw lilly beetles. I pointed at them and told her she had to kill them, i can't i said, i hate killing things and i especially hate beetles... she said but it's like bad karma or something to kill them, then promptly flicked it off the plant and stomped on it Shocked

then her friend came round, saw another one, picked it up on her finger, showed it to her son (about 5 or 6 yrs old) said, i suppose i'd better kill it, then flicked it to the floor and stomped on it!! Shocked

Why can't i do that?? Crying or Very sad

I know i wil need to if i want to protect my plants but it's bad Sad

_________________

Glynis · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 8:05 am Post subject:

My strategy with the slugs and snails in my garden (with whom I am now almost on first name terms) is to grow mainly those flowers that I'm confident they don't much enjoy.
That meant that until now lavender was a good bet Sad

PLEASE don't tell me that there is a beetle out there that's after my bunny-mouths (antirhinums is it???) because my slugs'n snails are really good about letting me have them in the garden.
Shocked