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Species
Lilioceris lilii (Scopoli)
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked
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Wikispecies has information related to: Lilioceris lilii |
The scarlet lily beetle, red lily beetle, or lily leaf beetle (Lilioceris lilii), is a leaf beetle that eats the leaves, stem, buds, and flower, of lilies, fritillaries and other members of the family Liliaceae. It lays its eggs most often on Lilium and Fritillaria species. In the absence of Lilium and Fritillaria species, there are fewer eggs laid and the survival rate of eggs and larvae is reduced.[1] It is now a pest in most temperate climates where lilies are cultivated.
Contents
Description[edit]
This lily beetle belongs to the order Coleoptera, and the family Chrysomelidae, the leaf beetles. The adult lily beetle is about 6 to 9 mm (¼–⅜ in) in length, with relatively long legs and antennae. Its elytra (harder forewings) are bright scarlet and shiny. Its underside, legs, eyes, antennae and head are all black. It has large eyes, a slim thorax, and a wide abdomen.[2] Each antenna is made up of 11 segments. The eyes are notched and there are two grooves on the thorax.[3]
This lily beetle may be confused with the cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis), which also has red elytra and a black underside. The wing cases of the lily leaf beetle are dimpled and are shinier and more rounded than those of the cardinal beetle, which are relatively dull, and narrower, flatter, and more elongated. The cardinal beetle also has comb-like antennae.[4] The lily leaf beetle is herbivorous, while the cardinal beetle preys on insects.[5] The lily leaf beetle is also confused with unspotted ladybirds, but it is narrower in shape.[2]
Natural history[edit]
Distribution[edit]
The lily leaf beetle is indigenous to parts of Europe and Asia. It is thought to have been introduced to North America through the importation of plant bulbs in 1943.[6] First spotted in Montreal, it spread throughout Canada and appeared in Massachusetts in 1992, and by 2012 was in all six New England States, as well as New York and Washington states. In Canada it is found from the Maritime Provinces west to Manitoba. [6][3] It has also become established as an invasive species in the United Kingdom since its introduction in 1943. It has spread from Surrey to as far north as Fort William. [7] It is also found in the Middle East and North Africa.[6]
Life cycle[edit]
The beetle overwinters in the soil and emerges early in spring. The adult is generally found in moist, cool environments.[8] It emerges in spring to feed and mate.[2] The female can lay up to 450 eggs each season in batches of about 12 on the undersides of leaves. It arranges the red-orange to brown eggs in narrow irregular lines along the midrib, where they are more concealed. The eggs then hatch into yellow, brown or orange larvae in about 1-2 weeks.[6]
The larvae feed for up to 24 days, beginning underneath the leaf then working up the rest of the plant, and cause the most damage. Their preferred feeding locale is underneath the leaf or at the node where the leaf meets the stem. They then burrow in the ground to pupate in a cocoon of soil bound with saliva. In about 20 days they emerge as adults and continue to feed until winter. More than one cycle can occur in one year.[9][6]
Behaviour[edit]
Often the first evidence of lily leaf beetle infestation is sticky brown frass piles containing larvae on leaves. The larvae remain in the frass for protection from the sun and predators. However, the fecal shield is not effective protection against parasitoids, and it may actually make it easier for parasitoids such as the wasp Lemophagus pulcher to locate the larvae.[10]
An adult that senses danger displays a defense mechanism, thanatosis, becoming motionless, folding up its appendages and falling with its black under surface facing up, thereby helping it camouflage with the ground to get away. If unable to escape, they are also able to ‘squeak’, by rubbing two parts of their body together, which may be used to startle the attacker. [11] This process is known as stridulation and could even shock a bird or any other predator that may attack the lily leaf beetle.[2]
Lily plants may first show evidence of holes chewed in the leaves from consumption, and if left unchecked rapidly progress to blackening, and total loss of the leaves, leaving only the stem. Beetles and their larvae may also inhabit and devour the developing flower buds. Invasion may occur shortly after the new plants emerge from the soil, particularly if there are nearby Fritillaria which emerge earlier than Lilium. While Lilium and Fritillaria are affected, Hemerocallis is not. All Lily types may be affected, but while Asiatic lilies are the most vulnerable, some Oriental lilies may be more resistant. Resistant types include Lilium henryi 'Madame Butterfly', Lilium speciosum 'Uchida', and Lilium 'Black Beauty'. Other garden plants affected include Convallaria majalis, Polygonatum, potato (Solanum tuberosum), flowering tobacco (Nicotiana), hollyhock (Alcea) and Hosta.[6]
Pest impact[edit]
Fritillaria and Lilium specimens in Canadian gardens, particularly around Halifax, Nova Scotia are significantly affected by the lily leaf beetle. A garden in Waverly, Nova Scotia has reported decline of lily species and cultivars from 50 in 1996 to only one in 2006.[12]
Mechanical and chemical control[edit]
There are no registered chemicals for lily leaf beetle control, which limits options for the gardener. Although the most surefire strategy for preventing infestation by any pest is to avoid planting susceptible plants in the first place, with lily beetle this necessitates avoiding growing so many desirable cultivars of lilium, that other strategies may be preferred. Regular handpicking and crushing of eggs, larvae and adults is effective if somewhat laborious (adults can be drowned in soapy water if crushing is considered too violent). Domestic insecticides registered for general leaf beetle control containing carbaryl, methoxychlor, malathion and rotenone can prove useful in controlling populations.[3] However, malathion and carbaryl, effective on adults and larvae, are toxic to bees and other insects, respectively. [13] Products based on Neem extracts are useful in killing very young larvae and repelling adults without comparable harm to other insects, although this option is perhaps less effective than handpicking. Neem products should be applied every 5 to 7 days after egg hatch. Thiacloprid is also effective.[13] Floating row cover has been effective in preventing the adults from feeding and laying eggs in the spring. [14][15]
Biological control[edit]
In Europe, total parasitism rate in the last instar stage averages about 90% on wild Lilium martagon, 75% in gardens and 60% in cultivated lily fields. Most lily leaf beetle parasitoids are wasps that lay eggs inside the host and effectively kill all infected individuals. Diaparsis jucunda Holmgren (Ichneumonidae: Tersilochinae), dominates over 90% of the parasitoid infections in lily leaf beetle. However, in gardens and commercial fields, Tetrastichus setifer (Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) and Lemophagus pulcher (Eulophidae: Campopleginae) become the dominant parasitoids in the later season.[16]
There are no natural predators or parasites of lily leaf beetle in North America. In 1996, University of Rhode Island began testing the effectiveness of biological control of lily leaf beetle using six natural parasitoids from Europe. CAB International Bioscience Switzerland Center has also participated in this project from 1998 till 2001.[16] The European parasitoid wasp, Tetrastichus setifer was used in Massachusetts from 1999 to 2001; the experiment had shown reduction of the beetle population. Population decline was also observed at another experiment site in Rhode Island.[17] In 2003, another parasitoid, Lemophagus errabundus, was released in Massachusetts and is now established in the region.[12] Similar parasitoid releases have been made in Boston with positive results. [18]
Development of Lilioceris lilii[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Ernst, C., et al. 2007. Potential novel hosts for the lily leaf beetle Lilioceris lilii Scopoli (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in eastern North America. Ecological Entomology 32: 45-52.
- ^ a b c d Ernst, C. The Lily Leaf Beetle (Lilioceris lilii): an unwelcome invader. 2005 NALS Yearbook. North American Lily Society. pp. 29-34. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ a b c "University of Guelph. Pest Diagnostic Clinic. Ian Smith: The Leaf Lily Beetle, 2003". Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ "UK Safari. Lily Beetles". Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ "Royal Horticultural Society. Red-headed cardinal beetle - Pyrochroa serraticornis". Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ a b c d e f Ann Whitman. Controlling Lily Leaf Beetles. Gardeners' Supply Company
- ^ "RHS. Jacky Truong: The Red Lily Beetle, 2009". Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ Lily Leaf Beetle Lilioceris lilii. University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program Factsheets. 2002. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ "Shand Greenhouse. Have You Seen the Red Lily Beetle?, 2008". Archived from the original on 2008-07-29. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ Schaffner, U. and C. Muller. 2001. Exploitation of the fecal shield of the lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), by the specialist parasitoid Lemophagus pulcher (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Journal of Insect Behavior 14(6): 739-57.
- ^ Biology of Leaf Beetles. Jolivet, P. Verma, K.K. 2002. Intercept. ISBN 1898298866, 9781898298861
- ^ a b Majka, C. G.; LeSage L. (2008). "Introduced leaf beetles of the Maritime Provinces, 5: the lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii (Scopoli) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)". Proceedings of the Entomology Society of Washington 110 (1): 186–195. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
- ^ a b "Manitoba Regional Lily Society". Archived from the original on October 6, 2006. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ "Montréal Botanical Garden - Criocère du lis". Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ "Gary Westlake. Lily Leaf Beetle. Peterborough Examiner.". Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ a b "Kenis, M., Haye, T., Casagrande, R. A., Gold, M. S., and Tewksbury, L. A. Unspecified. Selection and importation of European parasitoids for the biological control of the lily leaf beetle in North America, and prospects for control in Europe. 1st International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods 1: 416-419.". Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ ""Biology and Control of the Lily Leaf Beetle." News & Views for New Hampshire's Green Industry. University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. April-June, 2005.". Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ "BBC - h2g2 - The Lily Leaf Beetle, 2007". Retrieved 2009-02-21.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Wikipedia |
Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Scarlet_lily_beetle&oldid=640805555 |
Canada
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round
United States
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Lilioceris+lilii |
Neotype for Lilioceris lilii Scopoli, 1763
Catalog Number: USNM
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Entomology
Sex/Stage: ; Adult
Preparation: Pinned
Collector(s): H. Parker
Locality: S. France, Unknown, France
- Neotype: 1993. United States Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin 1805. 129-131.; Scopoli, J. A. 1763. Entomologia Carniolica exhibens insecta genera, species, varietates. Methodo Linnaeana. 1-421.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | This image was obtained from the Smithsonian Institution. Unless otherwise noted, this image or its contents may be protected by international copyright laws. |
Source | http://collections.mnh.si.edu/search/ento/?irn=9206800 |
In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Animal / parasitoid
solitary larva of Lemophagus errabundus is parasitoid of larva of Lilioceris lilii
Remarks: season: 5-6
Other: sole host/prey
Foodplant / open feeder
larva (mature) of Lilioceris lilii grazes on live seed of Lilium
Foodplant / open feeder
larva of Lilioceris lilii grazes on live leaf of Fritillaria
Foodplant / open feeder
adult of Lilioceris lilii grazes on live leaf of Cardiocrinum
Remarks: season: (1-)5-7(-12)
Foodplant / open feeder
adult of Lilioceris lilii grazes on live leaf of Arum maculatum
Remarks: season: (1-)5-7(-12)
Foodplant / open feeder
larva of Lilioceris lilii grazes on live leaf of Solanum dulcamara
Other: minor host/prey
Foodplant / open feeder
larva of Lilioceris lilii grazes on live stem of Polygonatum
Remarks: season: 4-
Foodplant / open feeder
larva of Lilioceris lilii grazes on live leaf of Nomocharis
Remarks: season: 4-
Animal / parasitoid
gregarious larva of Tetrastichus setifer is parasitoid of larva of Lilioceris lilii
Remarks: season: 5-8
Other: sole host/prey
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 18
Species With Barcodes: 1
Canada
Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked
United States
Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Lilioceris+lilii |