Question
QUESTION: Last summer I noticed black 'spots' on the stems of my lilies. It looked like black bugs, but when I touched it, it was like a black, sticky, oozy type thing - almost had an oily feeling to it. The lilies were in bloom, but whatever this was did damage to the leaves turning them brown. I'd like to be prepared this summer so I can take immediate action if I see this again. Can you help? Thank you for your time.

ANSWER: Hi Darla,
Thanx for your question.  What kind of lilies were infested?  Did the spots appear anywhere else on the lilies such as on the stems or the flowers?  When you say tha the leaves turn brown, did they completely turn brown and shrivel up or did they remain green and healthy in the unaffected areas?  Please let me know.
thx,
tom

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QUESTION: Tom, my lilies are mostly Asiatic, but I do have some Stargazers. The 'bug' or 'disease' was on the stems and leaves of all the lilies. The leaves turned yellow/brown and fell off. The actual flowers were already in bloom when I noticed the spots. From afar, the spots looked like a large black bug, but when touching them it was like a soft, sort of oily, consistency. Thanks for any help you can provide! Darla

Answer
Hi Darla,
Thanx for the additional information.  It sounds to me like one of the following.  The black stuff is fecal deposits from aphids or thrips except that you describe it as a large spot.  Aphids and thrips suck the juices out of the plant's leaves and stems.  They leave sticky, sweet deposits that other insects will eat and are also good growing grounds for a variety of molds which will damage and/or kill the plant.  Aphids come in a lot of different colors mostly green though and are fairly well visible.  Look for them on the leaf undersides.  Usually, where there are aphids, there are lots of ants.  Ants will herd, manager and protect aphids because they feed off of their sticky, sweet "honey dew" (as it is called).  Thrips are tiny and hard to see.  Shake a leaf over a paper towel and use a magnifying glass and you should be able to see them.  If you detect pests, there are insecticides made by Ortho, Bayer and other companies that will kill thrips and aphids.  Please try to use something organic and/or Earth friendly.  There are many horticulturally safe insecticides on the market now.  The other possibility is a bortrytis or anthracnose infestation which is a fungus.  Fungicides will treat this problem.  If that still doesn't sound like your problem or those ideas don't work for you, take a sample of the plant into your local County Extension and have the horticultural agent have a look at it.  If you will give me your general location I'll get you contact information.  I hope this helps.
Tom