Lilioceris lilii (lily leaf beetle).

L. lilii is a Eurasian chrysomelid beetle that was first found in Quebec, Canada, in 1943, from where it has spread to several Canadian Provinces, and Vermont and Maine in the USA. It was also reported in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1992, and it is now found in several New England States. It is also alien and invasive in the UK and, probably, in Northern Europe. The beetle most probably spreads with the sale and movement of potted lilies, flowering bulbs or cut flowers. In countries where it is invasive, it is a serious pest of cultivated lilies and fritillaries. Without control methods, leaves and flowers are totally defoliated by larvae. In North America, it also represents a threat to native lilies.

Predicting the Invasion Potential of the Lily Leaf Beetle, Lilioceris lilii Scopoli (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in North America

Invasive species are among the leading threats to global ecosystems due to impacts on native flora and fauna through competition and predation. The lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii Scopoli (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is an invasive pest of lilies (Lilium spp.) and other genera of Liliaceae (Liliales). A habitat suitability model was created using Maxent, to help predict if L. lilii will be able to establish in locations were native North American Liliaceae species grow. The model was created using georeferenced occurrence records from the beetle’s native, naturalized, and invasive range. Model results indicate that precipitation in the driest quarter and annual average temperatures are most strongly correlated with L. lilii distribution, and suggest that the species will perform poorly in very dry, hot, or cold environments. The model also indicates that the beetle should be able to establish throughout the range of most North American Liliaceae genera, including species of special conservation concern. This model can be used by natural area managers to identify areas of high habitat suitability that overlap with vulnerable North American Liliaceae species, and prioritize L. lilii monitoring and control activities as the beetle continues to expand its range.

Bio-Ecological Research of Lily Leaf Beetle Lilioceris lilii Scopoli (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In the present study some bio-ecological characteristics of Lilioceris lilii in Bosnia and Herzegovina are presented. The insect’s presence was confirmed in the majority of the researched locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The average body length of L. lilii was 7.64 mm (7.025 mm for the males while 8.106 mm for the females) and the average body width 3.75 mm. The average length of a fully developed larva was 6.36 mm, and the average width was 2.69 mm. In terms of the cocoon, the average length was 8.83 mm and its width was 5.82 mm. Duration of embryonic development under field conditions was 8.5 days in average. The average duration of larval development (4 instars) was 16 days and the pupal stage lasted approximately 18 days. Lilioceris lilii retreated into winter quiescence at the beginning of autumn, thereof completes one generation per year. In the area of Sarajevo in field conditions the number of the laid eggs per female was 130 in average. The insect undergoes its entire development at the Asian and Oriental species of lily, on all the above-ground parts of the plants. Lilium candidum lily species that was present in all home gardens in the observed areas was the major host of the L. lilii. Experimentation with Aloae vera proved that this species was not a host of L. lilii.

First record of Lilioceris lilii in Greece

On May 2007, the lily beetle Lilioceris lilii (Scopoli) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was recorded for the first time in Greece. Its occurrence was observed on scarlet martagon lily and martagon lily plants at Fylaktí, Karditsa. Information on its morphology, biology and distribution is presented.

Overview on the Chrysomeloidea Superfamily (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Orsodacnidae, Chrysomelidae) in Dobrogea (Romania)

The study represents a synthesis about the distribution of the species from superfamily Chrysomeloidea in Dobruja (Dobrogea) region (South-eastern Romania). 407 species from 132 genera and 15 subfamilies are recorded, based on the published data and on the study of material preserved in the collections of the “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History (Bucharest) and the Institute of Biology Bucharest of the Romanian Academy. The species Lilioceris lilii (Scopoli), Oulema erichsonii (Suffrian), Euluperus cyaneus (Joannis) and Altica quercetorum quercetorum Foudras are mentioned for the first time in fauna of Dobrogea. Some endemic species are highlighted: Vadonia hirsuta (K. Daniel & J. Daniel), Dorcadion equestre transsilvanicum Ganglbauer, D.gashtarovi Sama, Dascălu & Pesarini, D. axillare Küster and Brachyta balcanica Hampe. Rosaliaalpina alpina Linnaeus, Morimus asper funereus Mulsant and Cerambyx cerdo cerdo Linnaeus are protected species, included in the annexes of the Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora. Also, Brachyta balcanica Hampe, Pedostrangaliaverticalis Germar and Neodorcadion exornatum (Frivaldsky von Frivald) are species of national interest requiring strict protection, listed in the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 57/2007 on the regime of natural protected areas, the conservation of natural habitats, wild fauna and flora. Among the rare species we mention: Coptosia albovittigera Heyden, Deroplia genei genei (Aragona), Phytoecia praetextata praetextata (Steven), Cerambyx miles Bonelli, C. welensii Kuster, Vadoniamoesiaca Daniel & Daniel, Cortodera differens Pic, Agapanthia kirbyi (Gyllenhal), Macropleamutica (Fabricius), Clytra valeriana (Ménétries) and Cryptocephalus bohemius Drapiez.