What's eating my lilium 'black beauty'?

'Black Beauty', a vigorous Oriental-Trumpet hybrid, is targeted by lily beetle across both the UK and US. Aphids and vine weevil grubs (in containers) pose secondary risks. Its tall stems can attract thrips in hot summers. Lily beetle control by hand-picking and timely insecticide is the essential seasonal task.

Leaves and buds eaten; larvae coated in excrement cling to stems; plants can be stripped bare Hand-pick beetles and larvae every few days; spray acetamiprid or pyrethrin if infestations are heavy

Colonies on stem tips and buds; honeydew encouraging sooty mould; weakened flowering Apply insecticidal soap spray; encourage predatory insects; avoid excessive nitrogen fertiliser

C-shaped grubs eat bulb scales and roots in containers; plants collapse without warning in autumn Apply nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to container compost in late summer; use vine weevil killer drench