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Narcissus bulb fly.



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Kildale

British Columbia
Posts: 1123
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:35 pm   Post subject: Narcissus bulb fly.


It looks like a bee but it is a fly, the Narcissus bulb fly. it lays eggs on your bulbs and when they hatch, guess what is on the menu. A little tip to help is that when you pull out the leaves or flowers, run your hand over the soil to fill in the holes. These holes give the fly access to the bulbs. This is what it lools like.


( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden )




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eileen


Forum Moderator

Scotland
Posts: 18013
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:11 pm   Post subject:


I must make sure that any bulbs I buy from now on are only from reputable nurseries or suppliers as I'd hate my bulbs to be invaded by the larva of this fly. Sad


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Netty


Regular Plants Contributor

Southern Ontario zone 5a
Posts: 9955
Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 12:32 am   Post subject:


Nice shot. I wonder if we have these bugs in Ontario?

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Jewell


Regular Plants Contributor

Puget Sound Region of the Pacific NW (Washington State, US)
Posts: 1587
Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 2:57 am   Post subject:


Looks almost like a bee...


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If a you have but two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one to sustain your life, and a flower with the other to give you a reason to live. ~Chinese Proverb
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Kildale

British Columbia
Posts: 1123
Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:27 am   Post subject:


Yes, like I mentioned, it does look like a bee. but it only has 2 wings.


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Jewell


Regular Plants Contributor

Puget Sound Region of the Pacific NW (Washington State, US)
Posts: 1587
Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:32 am   Post subject:


Very Happy It's really cool looking Very Happy


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If a you have but two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one to sustain your life, and a flower with the other to give you a reason to live. ~Chinese Proverb
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Kildale

British Columbia
Posts: 1123
Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:39 am   Post subject:


I take a lot of insect pics so here is another image of the bulb fly. Merodon equestris


Merodon equestris ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden )


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Palustris


Posts: 526
Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:29 am   Post subject:


Saddest thing is that there is no treatment for the amateur. Professionals heat up the bulbs to and exact temeperature for an exact length of time to kill of the larva.
You can tell a bulb which has a grub in it,if you ently squeeze the bulb, if feels soft and 'squishy'. So ,youkow the answer, do not buy a soft narcissus bulb.
We have a major problem with them here, unfortunately as they also attack Snowdrops and as you know we have a few thousand of them.


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