Info on a beetle, please

12 years ago

For several years, I had a combination of daylilies and Asiatic lilies in a front flowerbed, and they grew and bloomed just fine, but had started to fade a bit. They needed thinning, so I decided to move them to a bed behind the house next to Morning Glory vines that had been growing for years. IÃ¯Â¿Â½d never had any issues with bugs on the MG or other plants in that area, or anywhere in the yard, except Japanese beetles on some roses out front. (IÃ¯Â¿Â½m not counting slugs on hostas)
The first year was fine, but last season, I found what IÃ¯Â¿Â½ve identified as Golden Tortoise Beetle all over the plants in that corner. The lilies were literally eaten down to almost nothing, and then they attacked the MG. It kept growing, and blooming, but by mid-fall looked like sad rags hanging on the fence. IÃ¯Â¿Â½ve found references online that say the beetles like MG, but it was the lilies they went after first.

So, long story short, does anyone know if I can expect the same thing again? Did it take the first year for the bugs to find the plants, and theyÃ¯Â¿Â½ll be back, or was it a one year aberration? I want the morning glories more that the lilies, so if digging them up will fix this and restore my vines, thatÃ¯Â¿Â½s fine.

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Comments (5)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
12 years ago
It's my understanding that those particular beetles feed ONLY on plants within the Convolvulaceae family (morning glory/sweet potato and relatives), and not lilies.

Are you certain of the identity of the beetles?
thedogsLL
Original Author
12 years ago
I think so. Appeared like a ladybug only shiny gold, and with a clear "shell" around it that you couldn't see until you got close. I didn't know to look for that till I found online images. And I can't find any other beetle/bug that looks as close as tortoise beetle.

I thought it was unique and really pretty at first, and I had a photo, but it was on the cell phone that got dropped in water, so the image is gone. Then the holes started appearing in lilies and vines, and I researched it - I found the info on MG family also, but then, the lilies got picked on first. Maybe it's actually something else?
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Kimmsr
12 years ago
Most everything I can find about the Golden Tortoise Beetle indicates that it feeds on plants in the Convolvulaceae family and is not very destructive.
The most common insect pest of Lilies, in some areas of the United States is the Lily Leaf Beetle.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
12 years ago
The dogs, you've certainly described this beetle perfectly. Aren't they fabulous? But I don't think that they are the culprits on your lilies.

There are LOTS of foliage feeders out there.
thedogsLL
Original Author
12 years ago
Hmm, well, you've both given me something to think about. I'm not sure fabulous is the way I would describe them, but before I started blaming them for eating everything in sight, sure, they were eye catching, lol!

Kimmsr, I gave up trying to add my area to my profile, and I sometimes forget to add it if/when I post. I'm just a little north of Boston.

So, if spring ever gets here, I'm going to let things grow. I did a fair amount of looking for something else that might be doing the damage, but I'm far from expert. I'll give it another shot, and hope I can have both the lilies and the MG.

Thank you, both!
Lynn