Every gardener knows the dread of painstakingly growing your plants, only to find bite marks dotted around.
But there’s a specific type of ‘voracious’ bug you need to be wary of.
Gardening expert Monty Don warned gardeners to look out for lily beetles on the leaves of lilies and fritillaries.
The bugs are known for the bright red colour on the upper side of its body, but the underside is a more inconspicuous brown.
So, if they sense trouble, they will drop and lie on their backs on the ground so they are completely camouflaged, making them hard to spot.
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In addition to regular inspections, gardeners can take preventive measures such as using fine netting to cover vulnerable plants and creating a garden environment less favourable to beetles by avoiding overcrowding and ensuring good air circulation around plants.
For those facing a severe infestation, horticultural oils and neem-based insecticides may offer some relief, but these should be used as a last resort due to potential impacts on other beneficial insects.
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