Pest identification
What's eating my lilium 'stargazer'?
Lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii)
Signs: Leaves and buds completely devoured; larvae disguise themselves in their own black excrement on stems
Control: Hand-pick adults and larvae daily; apply acetamiprid or pyrethrum spray; check undersides of leaves for red eggs
Aphids
Signs: Clustered on buds and stem tips; honeydew and sooty mould; distorted new growth
Control: Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybirds and lacewings
Deer and rabbits
Signs: Flower buds and upper stems browsed off cleanly overnight; young shoots eaten to ground level
Control: Use physical barriers — rabbit guards for young plants, deer fencing or repellent spray for larger plantings
Keep lilium 'stargazer' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Lilium 'Stargazer' pests — FAQ
What is eating my lilium 'stargazer'?
Stargazer lily's bold, fragrant blooms attract lily beetles — bright red adults and their grub-covered larvae can strip foliage completely. Aphids weaken stems, and vine weevil larvae can attack bulbs in containers. In gardens, rabbits and deer browse foliage. Lily beetle is the single most destructive pest in the UK and US Northeast.
How do I get rid of lily beetle (lilioceris lilii) on lilium 'stargazer'?
Leaves and buds completely devoured; larvae disguise themselves in their own black excrement on stems Hand-pick adults and larvae daily; apply acetamiprid or pyrethrum spray; check undersides of leaves for red eggs
How do I get rid of aphids on lilium 'stargazer'?
Clustered on buds and stem tips; honeydew and sooty mould; distorted new growth Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybirds and lacewings
How do I get rid of deer and rabbits on lilium 'stargazer'?
Flower buds and upper stems browsed off cleanly overnight; young shoots eaten to ground level Use physical barriers — rabbit guards for young plants, deer fencing or repellent spray for larger plantings