What's eating my american turk's cap lily?

American Turk's cap lily (Lilium superbum) is a native North American species that still falls prey to the scarlet lily beetle — now established across much of the eastern US. Aphids vector viruses across Lilium species. Deer and rabbits browse stems. Voles and groundhogs may dig the bulbs. Native stands in wetter sites may also attract slug feeding.

Adults and frass-covered larvae defoliate stems progressively — even native species offer no resistance; plants can lose all leaves before flowering Hand-pick daily into soapy water; neem oil or pyrethrin spray; biological control with Tetrastichus or Lemophagus parasitoid wasps

Sap-sucking colonies spread lily mosaic virus, causing yellowed mottled leaves and distorted, reduced flowering over time Strong water jet or insecticidal soap; remove and destroy virus-infected plants; do not replant lilies in the same spot

Deer snap flower buds and upper stems cleanly; rabbits chew lower stems and young foliage, often at night Wire mesh exclusion or deer repellent sprays; fence perimeter with hardware cloth buried 6 in. to deter rabbits