On 27 Apr 2010, at 10:41, Nhu Nguyen wrote: > If you have noticed bulb flies please write in so that we can compile a > distribution map. So far we have CA, NJ, Chicago IL, and northwestern > Oregon. Bulb flies make growing amaryllids a real struggle on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Triandrus hybrid narcissus last exactly one season after planting. In their second season, they are utterly gone, not even grass formed. This includes beauties like 'Liberty Bells' and 'Thalia'. <sob> Cyclamineus hybrids (notably 'Dove Wings', 'Charity May', and 'Jenny') otoh, survive quite nicely, but I suspect that just means they're playing the role of typhoid marys. I attribute the prevalence of bulb flies here to the large numbers of feral narcissus that grow in waste spaces and neglected corners of gardens. Someone asked if they attack non-amaryllidaceous plants. I've seen one, many years ago, in a hyacinth bulb, and have read that they will attack other bulbs if their preferred amaryllidaceae are scarce. Nhu can color in greater Victoria and the Cowichan Valley a little ways north as definitely known problem areas, though I think the plague extends much further than that. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Maritime Zone 8, a cool Mediterranean climate on beautiful Vancouver Island http://maps.google.ca/maps/…