wanted: biocontrol release sites

6/1/2014

Our biological control program at the Experimental Farm in Ottawa has been a great success. The tiny wasp Tetrastichus setifer (shown below) has become established in our experimental garden and is quite abundant. This past week, I saw nearly as many wasps as beetle larvae on our lilies.

Additional wasps in parasitized lily beetle cocoons from last year have been removed from cold storage. If their survival was good, then we expect to have a surplus of wasps. We would like to find additional release sites for these wasps. We will give priority to sites that meet the following criteria:

large number (50+) lily plants
in neighbourhoods where other gardeners grow lilies
not exposed to pesticides
gardener must agree to allow lily beetles to feed and develop so that they may become parasitized
gardener must agree to follow-up collection of larvae to assess success of release

The following metropolitan areas will be given priority (if your city is not on the list, we probably already have a contact there):

Edmonton
Winnipeg
Toronto
Halifax

If you meet the criteria and would like your garden to become a release site, please email me: Naomi_Cappuccino at carleton.ca.

11 Comments

Tony Jovan

7/24/2016 02:11:03 pm

I know of two sites in Toronto where Michigan Lily plants exceed 50, and are currently being attacked by the Asian Lily Beetle.

Larry Hodgson link

8/3/2019 04:40:51 am

Hello!

Just found this link and thought you might have an idea. I've seen no lily beetles at all this year in Quebec City. Is this the result of a tough winter? Or have lily beetle parasites kicked in?

Thanks!

Larry Hodgson
(Author of Laidback Gardener and jardinierparessux blogs)

Naomi

8/6/2019 03:55:48 am

I hope it's the parasitoid, but since the nearest release was in Montreal, that would require some amazing dispersal on the part of the tiny wasp!
Next year I will be following up on the establishment and dispersal of the wasps. I'll be sure to visit Quebec!

Blandine Norman

6/11/2021 07:39:38 pm

Hi....I live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and have been battling the lily beetle for a minimum 5 years. I have tried Neem oil spray, coffee grounds but neither are satisfactory for me. With over 1,000 lily plants in my huge backyard, it is a daunting task. I know many people who have given up and dug up their lilies, but I love my lilies more than that. I pick the bugs, egg laden leaves and the larvae....placing all in zip lock bags and leaving it all to fry in the sun, doing this religiously every day. I would welcome that wasp in my yard if there were some way for me to get them or buy them. Please let me know if there is a way for me to acquire the parasite. Thank you!

Adele

9/5/2021 06:56:01 am

Thorough the years I have planted many lilies. Unfortunately I didn’t
know how to control the lily beetle.and lost many of the plants thur the years.
This year I first identified the cause (lily beetle) and started picking them off daily and then crushing them or drowning them.
As for the larvae I sprinkled baking soda on the larvae.
Left it on for approximately half hour or so then I rinsed it off with water
I also made a liquid solution
Baking soda sulfur Canola oil vinegar water mix which was a thick constituency. I poured it on the green part of the plant.
Between all these three methods my lilies are going well.
I now check the lilies on a daily bases.
Adele H

Michael L Szafron

6/2/2022 06:10:48 pm

I live in Saskatoon, SK. I have several hundred lilies throughout my yard and last year began noticing (and killing) the dreaded red lily beetles. We don't use pesticides in our yard as we have honey bees and dogs. I was wondering if I could get some of the wasps to release in my yard? I know many of my neighbours are also battling these lily beetles. If we could establish the wasps, it would be a great benefit to my entire neighbourhood. Thanks.

Noela Bamford

7/7/2023 05:38:52 am

I live in Regina and it appears rampant in the city. I know others who would love to purchase the parasitic wasps to help control the problems.

H S

8/19/2023 06:37:01 pm

I live in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, we have them here this summer 2023. Looking for updates on control, eradication would be even better!

Brenda Karran

2/22/2024 12:11:00 pm

I live in Edmonton. I have a large number of Asiatic lilies in my yard. They are by far my favorite flower. I religiously hunt for the beetles and their larva and eggs. But I am really close to pulling them out. It is becoming too time consuming. Please pick me!

Naomi Cappuccino

2/22/2024 02:50:06 pm

Hi Brenda,
I retired three years ago and, unfortunately, nobody has taken over the lily leaf beetle biocontrol project in Canada. So we are no longer able to distribute the wasps to gardeners.
I'm surprised that my website is still alive...I haven't paid my weebly fees in years!
Best wishes, Naomi

Anna

5/26/2024 02:26:15 am

Hi Naomi, would it still be possible, and, what would be necessary for someone to take over the lily leaf beetle biocontrol project now? Also, in your opinion, would it be likely that the predatory insects which had been released during your oversight of the project, reproduce and become sufficient to control lily leaf beetles in Canada even without new releases? I am living in Edmonton Alberta, and also have a place in Windsor Ontario, the beetles are terrible in both cities. Thank you so much for all your efforts and help. I, and i am sure all lily lovers, am very grateful

wanted: biocontrol release sites

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