I'll try.
Naf, I just copied your link into the optional link url box. Is this what you wanted us to see?

Here is a link that might be useful: Naf's link

I think it's some sort of caterpillar. I had the exact same sort of damage, and poop, on my dhalias recently, and found a really icky dead caterpillar in the soil (it got down to 3C recently and I don't think it could survive that).

It could also be slugs. They seem to eat anything if they're desperate enough.

That's it =:)

I'm trying to do it again.

I've copied the link to the Optional URL thingy at the bottom. Let's see what I get.

My damage was only on the buds. There would be a hole chewed through the bud, and most of the insides missing. Tiny bits of the black and orange on a few leaves. I didn't get any damage at all this year, but would still like to know what it might be for future reference. I don't think it was slugs on mine. No tell tale slug slime at all.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lily Bud

HEY! It worked =:)

Thanks North53. My lesson for the day, LOL ! My DH will be so proud.......

Oh, BTW.

I've never even wondered all this time what the Optional Link URL space was for.

Good grief. Out of character for me. I'm usually fairly detail oriented. =:D

One more thing.......

Shazam - Did you have the black and the orange on your Dahlias?

What color was the disgusting caterpillar?

None of the orange stuff, but that could be pollen from the flowers.

The caterpillar was the typical greenish with some lighter green markings. It was almost two inches long and quite fat. Like a supersized sawfly larvae.