@djacob Z6a SE WI, It looks like lily beetle damage?

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/lily-leaf-beetle/

Djacob, I had the same problem with my tiger lilies 2 years ago, constantly picking and smashing those nasty beetles until my hands became stained in all red(the beetles color, not the blood). until I applied bonide systemics(for outdoor use). Not a single hole or bettle in sight anymore on mine while all the other lilies in other properties are terribly infested. I use it early on in the season so by the time the lily blooms the systemic has already worn out and it won't hurt pollinators/beneficial insects. I'll probably apply it again once it's done blooming.

There's been some research on Lilium species/cultivars that are more resistant to the lily beetle:

https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2450e/

"Our research indicates that Asiatic hybrids are the most susceptible lilies, while certain Oriental lilies and other hybrids may provide some resistance. To date, the three most resistant lilies in our tests are Lilium henryi ‘Madame Butterfly’, Lilium speciosum ‘Uchida’, and Lilium ‘Black Beauty’."

For what it's worth, I'm growing Black Beauty for the first time this year, and can confirm it's totally untouched by the beetles, while my established 'Stargazers' suffered moderate damage.

@Heruga (7a Northern NJ) I'm in northern NJ also. When exactly do you apply the bonide? April or later? Are you using the granules or spray? Thanks in advance. I would love to grow lilies again.

I'm curious, do any of you have deer eating your lilies. A lot of people here in Illinois, cage their lilies so the deer won't eat them. Our native lilies, supurbum, michiganense, philidelphicus, grayii, etc. Take years to reach flowering size.

No deer here, but Jay, you hit it right….. those are the beetles.

debra

A2zmom, they are granular and I applied them in late April. Here is an example of mine right now at my house(treated) and ones at where I work(donated by me) which were not treated at all. You said you are from morris and I work in morris county too and can tell you that these beetles are absolutely everywhere in the area that without treatment you will just have to give up on lilies altogether.

Jay, I don’t have deer now as my whole yard is fenced but I did before when I lived at my dads house before and they loved the lilies. I was more concerned about rodents eating the bulbs so I just cover their area with loose mesh during the winter and remove it in the Spring once they emerge. I also fence around it on the winter for extra protection and leave it until the Spring until they become a foot tall.

Deer eat lilies here but only the buds or flowers. So far, lily beetles are not a big issue in the PNW although they are present but still in very limited numbers. And that's a good thing as this is home to a couple of the largest commercial and mail order lily growers.

@Heruga (7a Northern NJ) You are not kidding that lily beetles are everywhere. Here's picture back from 2016 before I had to give up on them.

O, lily beetles have been a PITA but I now grow only a handful of lilies-including all the ones mentioned by sah (and I must agree regarding the varied beetle predation). I have had none this year, but the most popular choice last year were the Night Flyers, I am very vigilant with beetles and slugs/snails - one of the plus points of having a very small garden.

In the wood, I grew a lot of white martagon lilies from seed - it took around 5-6 years to get to blooming size...but both deer and lily beetles did for them, practically the first year of blooms and certainly by the second flowering season, Although I didn't do anything at all apart from sow a lot of direct seed, once they became a significant presence, I was quite frantic with anxiety, because the wood is 60 or so miles away - I can't nip out to do triage. In truth, it was kinda a relief when they carked. I am reluctant to fuss over plants in my backyard so there was no chance whatsoever I was going to manage it in a wood. I felt ever so guilty and frazzled, though. It was a pivotal learning moment (grief, I nearly called it a 'journey'), and I did have to examine what I thought I was doing and be a bit more mindful. And realistic.

I really don't 'garden' in the wood, now, apart from trying a couple of wildflower colonies to encourage a bit more diversity in what was initially a monocultural plantation (hybrid poplar). Cowslips this year.