What's eating my easter lily?

Easter Lily is highly attractive to lily beetles, which can defoliate plants within days. Aphids spread viruses that persist in bulbs and ruin future crops. Slugs attack new shoots. Deer will browse lily foliage if they gain garden access. Vine weevil grubs can attack potted bulbs. Regular scouting is essential from spring emergence.

Adults and larvae eat foliage, stems, and buds; larvae covered in black fecal shield; rapid complete defoliation possible Inspect daily from April onwards; hand-remove all life stages; consider neem oil or pyrethrin spray for severe infestations; check soil around plants for overwintering adults

Colonies on growing tips and flower buds; yellowing, sticky honeydew, sooty mold, and virus transmission to bulb Blast off with water jet; encourage beneficial insects; use insecticidal soap spray; discard any plant showing mosaic virus symptoms

Young shoots chomped at soil level in spring; pot-grown plants especially vulnerable when shoots first emerge Iron phosphate pellets placed around emerging shoots; copper tape around pot rims; hand-pick on damp evenings

Shoots and foliage browsed cleanly, often before or at bud stage, especially in rural or suburban gardens Install deer fencing or wire guards around individual plants; use deer repellent sprays reapplied after rain; plant in a protected courtyard or walled garden