Merodon equestris
Rodger Whitlock (Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:51:00 PST)

On 19 Nov 2012, at 16:28, Jane McGary wrote:

Some cultivars/clones are more attractive than others. The beautiful triandrus
hybrid daffodils such as 'Thalia' and 'Liberty Bells' flower the spring after
planting and are never seen again, but bulbocodium hybrids such as 'Dove Wings'
and its siblings seem immune. I say *seem* immune, but it might be a matter
more of their earlier flowering, or it might be that they multiply strongly
enough that the bulb fly doesn't do much harm to them.

I have three patches of sternbergia, different clones I'd say, out in bright
sun, but they appear to be thriving. When I lift them to divide, no sign of the
fly. But Leucojum vernum I've never had much luck with: dug up, they're
horribly infested. And again to demonstrate the fickle tastes of Merodon,
Leucojum aestivum seems [there's that word again] immune.

And some galanthus forms survive in good heart. The commmon double form of
Galanthus nivalis is not uncommon as a feral plant in locations that are very
wet in winter. Perhaps the fly larvae drown?

--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Z. 7-8, cool Mediterranean climate