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Broad Bean pests
Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:51 pm
by Bec
it's nearly time for me to be sowing broad beans so I'm thinking ahead- last year I had quite a few orangey-red 1/2 inch long almost oblong shaped beetles cavorting on my broad beans. I think they might have been lily beetles(?). Were they doing my broad beans any harm? I kept knocking them off the tops of the beans and squishing them just in case but if they're not a problem I'd like to live and let live. I'd never seen them in my garden before - will they damage anything else- flowers or veg?
Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 3:57 pm
by Alison
If they were lily beetles, and they do sound like it, see entry on:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0500/beetle.asp
(and I'm sure someone less digitally-challenged than me can provide a photo!) please go on squishing them, as they are spreading at a rate of knots across the country, and not only eat lilies but also fritillaries which are native wild plants, and do huge damage. However, I don't think they eat beans!
Alison
Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 4:04 pm
by alan refail
Were they like this?
LILY BEETLE
Alan
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:28 pm
by Bec
Hi Alan- have been busy so haven't been onto Forum for a while - but yes that is exactly what the beetles looked like. So I should carry on squishing them then?
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:39 pm
by alan refail
Probably only need to worry if you've got lilies. But have a look at Alison's link.
Alan