156 BULBS AND THEIR CULTIVATION. 



Narcissus Fly (Merodon narcissi). Of late years the 

 larva of this fly has been found to do serious injury to the 

 bulbs of Narcissi. The larvse are of a yellow or brownish 

 tint, and about half an inch long. They feed upon the 

 scales in the centre of the bulb, and cause them to become 

 soft and spongy and to decay. The fly is bee-like in 

 shape, and black in colour, and appears during spring. 

 then laying its eggs on the bulbs, the resultant maggots 

 afterwards gnawing into the centre. 



NARCISSUS FLY, LARVA, AND CHRYSALIS. 



REMEDIES. (1) Burn all bulbs that feel soft or spongy 

 to the touch. (2) Immerse bulbs suspected of containing 

 the maggots in water for a week or so, to drown them. 

 Do this in August. (3) Trap the flies by placing saucers 

 of syrup or molasses among the plants in spring. 



Thrlps. An active little insect which is harmful both 

 in its perfect and larval state. The perfect insect is of 

 a pale brown hue, and very agile in habit, jumping off 

 like a flea when disturbed. The larvae are pale yellow. 



