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Identifying narcissus fly on Daffodil
Furry fly resembling a small bumblebee; single fat cream-white larva found hollowing out daffodil and narcissus bulbs.
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Life cycle
Single generation per year; adults fly in late spring, lay eggs at the neck of bulbs, larvae feed through summer and overwinter in the bulb.
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Damage to Daffodil
Larva tunnels into the bulb and consumes the core, leaving it soft, hollow, and rotten so it fails to produce healthy growth.
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How to treat narcissus fly on Daffodil
Lift and destroy soft, hollow bulbs. There is no rescue treatment once a larva is established inside.
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Preventing narcissus fly on Daffodil
Earth up soil around bulb necks after foliage dies back to block egg-laying access, and lift and inspect bulbs when dividing.