"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...


I don't want to propagate - no room - but that's what I've always done.
However, this year there are no flowers and few leaves left :-(


That's what happens, without a good set of leaves the plants can't make
food to store for next year and therefore either don't come up at all or
get smaller each year and eventually die out. The young larvae are worse
and cover themselves in their own excreta so look like bird droppings.

Yes, I saw that.

The adults also call their mates when they find food plants, I've actually
seen/heard them do it, a strange vibrating sound.

That's amazing, I wouldn't mind hearing that!

I'm convinced if you are in an area where they are rife spraying with a
systemic insecticide is the only way to ensure your lilies thrive and
improve year on year, as apposed to just about survive. I don't like it
but it's true.

I don't like it either but I've been trying to find a supplier :-)

Mary