Pest identification
What's eating my lilium 'regale'?
Lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii)
Signs: Complete defoliation of stems; eggs in neat rows on leaf undersides; larvae concealed under dark excrement
Control: Daily hand-picking; targeted spray with acetamiprid or pyrethrin; remove eggs before they hatch
Slugs and snails
Signs: Chewed-off emerging shoots in spring; ragged holes in lower leaves in wet conditions
Control: Apply ferric phosphate pellets around the base; use copper tape; hand-pick at night during wet spells
Rabbits
Signs: Young shoots cleanly bitten off at ground level; repeated browsing prevents flowering
Control: Surround plants with wire mesh cylinders; use rabbit repellent spray; fence the planting area
Keep lilium 'regale' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Lilium 'Regale' pests — FAQ
What is eating my lilium 'regale'?
Regal lily is a UK garden classic attacked primarily by the scarlet lily beetle, which can strip stems bare within days. Slugs target emerging shoots in spring. Deer and rabbits browse stems in rural gardens. Botrytis leaf blight is encouraged by wet summers. Hand-pick lily beetles from first emergence — this is non-negotiable.
How do I get rid of lily beetle (lilioceris lilii) on lilium 'regale'?
Complete defoliation of stems; eggs in neat rows on leaf undersides; larvae concealed under dark excrement Daily hand-picking; targeted spray with acetamiprid or pyrethrin; remove eggs before they hatch
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on lilium 'regale'?
Chewed-off emerging shoots in spring; ragged holes in lower leaves in wet conditions Apply ferric phosphate pellets around the base; use copper tape; hand-pick at night during wet spells
How do I get rid of rabbits on lilium 'regale'?
Young shoots cleanly bitten off at ground level; repeated browsing prevents flowering Surround plants with wire mesh cylinders; use rabbit repellent spray; fence the planting area