Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: mark smyth on April 27, 2011, 07:41:22 AM

Title: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on April 27, 2011, 07:41:22 AM: Narcissus fly alert Narcissus fly alert Narcissus fly alert

Narcissus flies are now out. I killed some yesterday
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: annew on April 27, 2011, 12:50:55 PM: NOOOOoooo!
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Armin on April 27, 2011, 07:51:57 PM: Yeeeesss! :o
Caught my first one already last Sunday. Just hatched - live fast die young ::)
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Maggi Young on May 02, 2011, 03:17:50 PM: Swatted this earlier... not sure whether it's a narcissus fly though or if I have murdered an innocent.... :-\
I was in 'first ask questions later' mode...... :-X
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on May 02, 2011, 03:35:57 PM: well done Maggi

while watering today I spotted a just hatched fly
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Maggi Young on May 02, 2011, 03:42:56 PM: Okay, if it is a NF then I'll have to be on the lookout for more...... I wondered if it should have more reddish hairs.....
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Armin on May 02, 2011, 08:00:12 PM: Maggi,
the NF's colors can vary. Redish brown to black.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Maggi Young on May 02, 2011, 08:07:33 PM: Thanks, Armin.... I'm on the watch!
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on May 02, 2011, 08:20:36 PM: In my garden they come in black, pale brown and like mini bumblebees
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on May 03, 2011, 07:11:53 PM: Out for a long walk today I walked by an untidy garden that was bursting with Narcissus flies
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 04, 2011, 11:33:44 AM: Is that a good thing in that an untidy garden with many daffodils encourages the flies to congregate there and leave yours alone or is it a bad thing in that without control, they regenerate even more than usual?
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 02, 2011, 07:18:39 PM: No more "I dont know what it sounds like". I tortured one today .....
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7ppPND_LCc[/youtube]
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: loes on June 02, 2011, 09:29:16 PM: Mark,is it dead now? :-\ or did you let it fly away?
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 02, 2011, 09:35:34 PM: I cant afford to let them live. She can lay lots of eggs.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Lesley Cox on June 02, 2011, 10:20:01 PM: That's not quite the flying around noise, more like the caught in a spider web noise.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Anthony Darby on June 03, 2011, 02:02:17 AM: Apparently dipping dormant bulbs in 'Lorsban' (Chlorpyrifos) for 10 minutes is a good preventative, but I suspect something that is not available to me?
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Tim Ingram on June 03, 2011, 10:38:22 AM: There was I thinking all would go quiet on the snowdrop front! We have problems with swift moth caterpillars which I have found in a high minority of potted hellebores on the nursery in the past and tried to overcome using Provado-like insecticides (but it takes a long time treating hundreds of potted plants). I have done this a little bit with potted snowdrops that were very special but my preference is to distribute bulbs around the garden and hope that this maintains good groups of each. Lately I have also been collecting seed pods from those that set seed and simply burying the pods in new places to see what might arise. In the long run the plants that adapt and prosper in the garden will be the best and amongst them could be some great new forms.

But now, curses, I shall have to keep an eye out for Narcissus fly and fill in the soil over the snowdrop clumps!! Seriously it is good to have the reminder.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Ray on June 03, 2011, 10:58:04 AM: Hi Anthony,do they have Narcissus fly in NZ?bye Ray
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Maggi Young on June 03, 2011, 12:07:40 PM: I hunted and killed a narcissus fly in the sitting room late last night... there truly is no peace.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Lesley Cox on June 04, 2011, 11:07:57 PM: Alas Ray, we do have Narcissus fly in NZ, and both kinds, the one with a large single grub and the one with several smaller grubs in a cluster. I've only seen that one a couple of times over the years. I don't have much of a problem here as there are few gardens nearby with daffodils and none, I think, with Galanthus or other amaryllids but I've occasionally had bought in bulbs containing a grub. I know what the flies look like and keep a fly swat in the shed.

One of Dunedin's millionaires, is a great benefactor to the city with large planting of rhododendrons especially, and hundreds of thousands of daffodils in various public places, street plantings etc. I imagine when those are in bloom the narcs will have a great time, with no-one looking to attack and control them but the daffs seem to increase well each year. He (the millionaire) has a fine tenor voice as well and is prominent in local opera productions. Also a great grower of magnolias.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 04, 2011, 11:08:23 PM: in the sitting room? Never had one in the house
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 04, 2011, 11:08:53 PM: how about this?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zqxbuSeIx8[/youtube]
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 04, 2011, 11:10:09 PM: oops
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9G3rAPkRMQ[/youtube]
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: loes on June 05, 2011, 10:55:34 AM: ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Mavers on June 08, 2011, 03:25:21 PM: Do they hover like hover flies?

Mark, vids are funny.......
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 08, 2011, 03:42:53 PM: I have rarely seen them hover and this year was the first I saw them hover in the garden
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Mavers on June 08, 2011, 04:00:57 PM: Yikes I must have a closer look at what I thought were hover flies.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Gerard Oud on June 09, 2011, 09:39:33 PM: I have sprayed 4 times with a solution with SiO2 insect + and no Narcissusfly to be seen and even the Lilliebeetles do dissapear!
Its a good remedie for white/black flies and louse too.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 09, 2011, 09:45:03 PM: Do you know how it works? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_dioxide (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_dioxide)
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Gerard Oud on June 09, 2011, 09:51:06 PM: It works on the nervesystem of the insects. They keep away from plants that have been treated with.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: johnw on June 10, 2011, 01:50:50 AM: Quote from: Gerard Oud on June 09, 2011, 09:51:06 PM
It works on the nervesystem of the insects. They keep away from plants that have been treated with.

Gerard - I recall you gave us a run-down on this chemical but I can't seem to find it. Can you tell us exactly what you spray? Is it a special SiO2 or is it combined with an insecticide. I'm interested as I discovered 2 NBF in the greenhouse last week. They made no noise whatsoever. I can't say if they hover like hoverflies but they certainly skewer nicely just like shishkabobs.

johnw
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Gerard Oud on June 11, 2011, 09:32:39 AM: John,

Its NOT a chemical but a biological powder made from stone and treated with magnetic elements what gives it special working against insects.
I can send you some this summer with the bulbs.
For more info www.biovic.nl unfortunately the website is only in Dutch.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Alan_b on June 12, 2011, 06:35:09 AM: I tried Google to translate into English but the result came out very "new-age". There seems to be an increasing number of plant treatments and feeds where the underlying science is vague or esoteric. Is this one such, or does it just lose its meaning in translation?
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Gerard Oud on June 12, 2011, 11:12:44 AM: Alan,

There is a small number of plant/soilenvironment treatment, no feeds just support and its a bit hard to explain how it works and that makes it vague and esoteric. But the most important thing is it works and its very cheap comparing it with chemicals that have the same but temporary effect.

The solution for almost all the different treatments is 1 gram/liter, so you do need not that much. I can sell a bag ( approx 50 gram) for 5 euro. And you only have to spray the plants once or twice a week during the activity of the NFB. It works too for Lilliebeetles, black flies, white mots and louse and other insect that can harm or infect the plants.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: steve owen on June 12, 2011, 03:49:00 PM: I was out watering the garden this morning as you do on a Sunday morning, and a bloke out walking his dog stopped and asked why I was watering when it had been raining for several hours - and what was the peculiar attachment to my hosepipe nozzle? I replied that the attachment was a Miraclegro feed bottle full of a strong mixture of Jeyes fluid and insecticide and that the few hours rain had created the ideal conditions to give the narcissus fly grubs a bath. He shook his head and muttered something like he'd always had his doubt about me. I wondered briefly whether to enlighten him as to Mark Smyth's views but thought better of it.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: GoodGrief on June 12, 2011, 06:28:03 PM: Quote from: Alan_b on June 12, 2011, 06:35:09 AM
I tried Google to translate into English but the result came out very "new-age". There seems to be an increasing number of plant treatments and feeds where the underlying science is vague or esoteric. Is this one such, or does it just lose its meaning in translation?

I'm sure my wife could find a homeopathic treatment in her little book if you're interested? ;D
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 12, 2011, 10:26:32 PM: I've been asked lots of times why I carry a fly swat in my pocket
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Gerard Oud on June 14, 2011, 11:35:47 AM: Its not homeopathic not newage or whatsoever, and it is just treated SiO2 ;D
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Gerard Oud on June 14, 2011, 11:37:22 AM: see this attachment too
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Tony Willis on June 15, 2011, 03:19:09 PM: Was repotting my Pancratium maritimum and thought this one had been killed by the cold until I found this maggot in it which I presume is a narcissus fly.It is now being digested as an afternoon snack by one of my fish. A new bulb is forming from the side of the rotten base.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 15, 2011, 03:25:25 PM: Just in time Tony. My guess is that maggotwas ready to pupate
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: JoshY46013 on June 19, 2011, 04:17:08 PM: I found some in my hybrid Hippeastrum that I bought last season :'( Surprisingly many of them bloomed but after wards they turned to mush! This is the first year that I've noticed this, has anyone else had this problem?
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Armin on June 19, 2011, 06:57:17 PM: Josh,
I've had narcissus fly infestation in 2010 in one of my large hippeastrum bulbs. The old mother bulb didn't flower and died but before made many small daughter bulbs...
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 22, 2011, 02:52:47 PM: I found a new Narcissus fly! It mimics the red tailed bumble bee.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Lesley Cox on June 22, 2011, 11:25:36 PM: This looks much like the one we have here Mark. Do you mean this is a THIRD fly, apart from your "ordinary" one and the fly that lays several eggs per batch, to make up to a dozen small grubs?
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 22, 2011, 11:43:09 PM: no Lesley, just a new colour
1. all black
2. all brown
3. three colours
4. black with red 'tail'
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: annew on June 27, 2011, 05:26:14 PM: I think this is a narcissus fly - right? Didn't manage to catch it though...
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 27, 2011, 05:40:08 PM: :o you let it escape!
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: annew on June 28, 2011, 08:32:21 AM: :-[ :-[ :-[
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 28, 2011, 08:45:21 AM: They love Geranium flowers. While they are feeding you should be able to squash them or swat them
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: annew on June 28, 2011, 09:50:54 PM: The trouble is my eyesight is not good enough to identify them unless I'm close. Then they're off and I'm too late. Today I was watching a tree bee (I thought) on my lavender. Then I got suspicious because I couldn't see any pollen baskets on its legs, s I went and got a jar and managed to catch it. That should have told me it wasn't a narcissus fly... After a short while in the fridge it had calmed down enough for me to photograph it and have a closer look via the image. You can see how this might be a rather long winded way of identifying a suspect.
Anyway, it had a reprieve because it had hairy legs.
I bet you're going to tell me it was a rare hairy legged narcissus fly.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: mark smyth on June 28, 2011, 11:54:50 PM: an innocent bee.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: annew on July 01, 2011, 09:02:54 AM: Phew!
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on July 03, 2011, 10:14:49 PM: Now they're in! Narcissus flies grub active
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Lesley Cox on July 03, 2011, 11:29:48 PM: Isn't that just utterly disgusting? :o
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Brian Ellis on July 04, 2011, 01:24:43 PM: Quote from: Lesley Cox on July 03, 2011, 11:29:48 PM
Isn't that just utterly disgusting? :o

...and, I fear, expensive. Not to mention b1%%dy annoying :(
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on July 05, 2011, 07:06:43 AM: Brian, it was DONCASTER`S DOUBLE CHARMER. But now I have twinscaled the bulb. So I`m on the way to 8 bulbils, I hope.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on October 03, 2011, 08:57:26 PM: Here is the actually result. I never thought, that the grubs have done their work already in October. >:(
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Armin on October 03, 2011, 09:32:48 PM: Hagen,
what an error! I could cry when I look at your images. Reminds me my own lifting results of narcissus bulbs... :'(

B.t.w. today I caught another culprit on my died off lilies - a scarlet lily beetle Lilioceris lilii :o
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: johnw on October 03, 2011, 10:37:08 PM: Quote from: Hagen Engelmann on October 03, 2011, 08:57:26 PM
Here is the actually result. I never thought, that the grubs have done their work already in October. >:(

Hagen - Do you think if you had treated the bulbs in May with Provado that the concetrantion in the bulbs might still be strong enough to kill the larvae when they took their first bit?

Last month we took a broad shovel to a friend's snowdrop patch. This drift has never been treated. We lifted one shovel-full and counted over 400 snowdrops. About 10-12 had NBF holes in their basal plates. The 2-3 I examined had no sign of a larva but Ken found larvae in the rest. One can live with the low percentage of damage but somehow these NBFs (you may not necessarily read NBF as narcissus bulb fly by the way ;)) read labels and price tags.

johnw
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Lesley Cox on October 04, 2011, 03:19:56 AM: I know Mark S talks of the flies being active in Oct in the UK so that they would seem reasonably manageable for that short time but here in NZ I have seen them actively laying from August through February or even March, whenever there is Amaryllid foliage above ground or in the dying off process. It's a big mistake to think they have a short season. The damage can be done over a long period, both early and late in our respective seasons.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: loes on December 09, 2011, 02:01:29 PM: last year I was so happy ;D when I bought Diggory but I think the narcissus fly liked it also :'(
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: KentGardener on December 12, 2011, 05:51:35 PM: Yuk! That is a very unpleasant sight. :(
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: annew on December 12, 2011, 05:57:35 PM: Don't throw the bulb away, Loes. It may produce small bulbs on what is left.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: loes on December 12, 2011, 09:06:47 PM: Anne,

I didn`t throw these away.after soaking in fungicide I have put one in a pot in the greenhouse and the other one like a chip in vermiculite in a plastic bag in the house.
I don`t really think it works but you never know.
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 13, 2011, 06:07:53 AM: Try it Loes, you have more than only one chance!!!
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: loes on December 13, 2011, 01:49:59 PM: fingers crossed ;)
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Martina Kopsieker on December 13, 2011, 09:24:33 PM: Well, my Irish Green and Mrs. Thompson look even worse than Diggory. I'm afraid I lost them. Next time I come across such damaged bulbs I will try to put the "remains" in Vermiculite. There are different sorts of it in Germany when I look it up in the internet. Which sort (Körnung) shall I use?
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Hans J on December 14, 2011, 08:07:15 AM: Hi Martina ,

I have earlier used Vermiculite 3- 8 mm - Du bekommst es hier :
http://www.kakteen-schwarz.de/
oder hier :
http://www.goetzpflanzenzubehoer.de/shop/

I use now Perlite ...( same size )

Best wishes
Hans
Title: Re: They're out! Narcissus flies active
Post by: Martina Kopsieker on December 14, 2011, 07:14:42 PM: Hi Hans!

Great! Thank you- should get some right away.
Martina