Help us focus our biological control efforts on protecting populations of Canada lily (Lilium canadense), Michigan lily (Lilium michiganense),Turk’s cap lily (Lilium superbum) and wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum). These species are all endangered or threatened in certain states/provinces. All four species occur within the range of the lily leaf beetle.
There has been good documentation of lily leaf beetle on Canada lily in Quebec, and the absence of the beetle on wood lily in Ontario (1). However, as the beetle spreads through Southern Ontario, reports of lily leaf beetle attacking populations of Michigan lily are becoming more common. We need to document the extent of this invasion, start monitoring lily populations and eventually introduce biological control agents at these sites.
Turk’s cap lily does not occur in Canada, but is present in several northeastern US states where the lily leaf beetle is a serious garden pest. Please let us know if you see beetles on this species.
A great site for ranges, photos and legal status of native lily species is the UDSA Plants database. Click on “subordinate taxa” for range maps and information on individual Lilium species.
You can use our form to report your observations.
Thanks for your help!
(1) Bouchard, A.M., McNeil and Brodeur, J.N. (2008) Invasion of American native lily populations by an alien beetle. Biological Invasions 10, 1365–1372.
There has been good documentation of lily leaf beetle on Canada lily in Quebec, and the absence of the beetle on wood lily in Ontario (1). However, as the beetle spreads through Southern Ontario, reports of lily leaf beetle attacking populations of Michigan lily are becoming more common. We need to document the extent of this invasion, start monitoring lily populations and eventually introduce biological control agents at these sites.
Turk’s cap lily does not occur in Canada, but is present in several northeastern US states where the lily leaf beetle is a serious garden pest. Please let us know if you see beetles on this species.
A great site for ranges, photos and legal status of native lily species is the UDSA Plants database. Click on “subordinate taxa” for range maps and information on individual Lilium species.
You can use our form to report your observations.
Thanks for your help!
(1) Bouchard, A.M., McNeil and Brodeur, J.N. (2008) Invasion of American native lily populations by an alien beetle. Biological Invasions 10, 1365–1372.
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