THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



75 



Pupa. The pupa is very dark grey-brown; distinctly ridged by 

 transverse segmental rings. At the anterior end two small horn-like 

 projections will be noticed. These are the spiracle openings. 



Adult. The fly (Fig. 19) is a large somewhat hairy insect about the 

 size of a honey bee, and is very active. It first makes its appearance in 

 late spring or early summer and will be found about the flowers in the 

 sunshine in infested areas. The head, thorax and anterior part of the 

 al'domcn are black, the tip of the latter possessing a thick covering of 

 liglit brown hairs. 



The adult insect will be found flying throughout the greater part of 

 the summer and during this period the females are depositing their 

 eggs. This fact will account for the various sizes of maggots that may 

 often be noticed. The eggs are placed, as a rule, at or near the base of 

 the leaves, close to the ground. Tlie young larvae ujion hatching make 

 their way into the bulb by gnawing and eating their way through the 

 succulent scales, here to undergo their development. Occasionally a 



Fig. 19. — The large Narcissus 

 bulb fly, Merodon equestris Fab. 

 (Original.) 



maggot will leave a bulb before its complete consumption or before it 

 reaches maturity and enter another bulb. "When food is plentiful, 

 however, the maggot only rarely leaves the host plant until ready to 

 pupate, which usually takes place near the surface of the surrounding 

 soils. 



Control. Before planting bulbs carefully examine for the presence 

 of the worm. Care at this time will often save an infestation. Sub- 

 mit each to a thorough test by pressing them between the thumb and 

 fingei^s. If there is a distinct "giving" resulting from this pressure 

 examine with a knife. If the larva or its burrow is found to exist 

 discard all such bulbs. 



Driving out the larvae by placing the bulbs in water has been used in 

 England with varying succes.s. The bulbs should remain in the water 

 for from two to eight days, during which time most of the maggots will 

 leave the host plant and drown. The bulbs should be thoroughly dried 

 after this process. 



