Daffodil Disease, and Pests

There has been some questions asked recently about pests and insects (bugs) that have caused the serious decline of daffodils. Pests and disease are not usually a problem in daffodil gardens, however, there are times when action needs to be taken to correct a growing disease/pest problem.

The most common problem is the daffodil fly, which is about the size of a small bumble bee with white and yellow markings, that flies eradictly and with a loud humming noise. This fly was imported from Europe about a hundred years ago. For a while in the 1930's the problem was so serious, all imports of daffodils from Europe were halted. After it was discovered that we have a good supply already here in America, imports resumed. Today, daffodil flies only become a problem when there is an infestation.

The best information I can find on daffodil pests is from Clemson University,

"http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/hort/s..."

It is not unusual to lose 10 to 15 percent of your daffodils a year to bulb flies and the likes. However, in large plantings that is not noticable as the bulbs will multiply by 300 to 400 percent each year. If you have an expensive, one of a kind daffodil, it is very noticeable. It's been said, in jest I'm sure, that daffodil flies can read English and have a sense of appreciation of value, as the daffodil fly always choses the most expensive and prized daffodil in the garden to attack.

They lay eggs at the base of the foliage that hatch into larva that work their way down to the basal plate of the daffodil bulb, and enter the bulb through the base plate. After they enter, they spend the summer and fall merrily munching the insides of your prise bulb until there is nothing left. The following spring they leave the bulb, pupate and return to the fly state. The cycle begins again. Lucky for us, the cycle takes a year to complete.

Bulb rot, or basil rot, due to wet ground and other unfavorable growing conditions also have the potential to cause severe loss of bulbs.

The below is another section on the control of daffodil pests, along with sterilization. "http://www.dlcon.com/daffodils/nematode...."

Try this one as well for disease problems. "http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/modop/0..."

And this one for insect problems. "http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/modop/0..."

I hope this will supply you with the information needed, however, do not get into a panic unless there is a serious problems in your garden. More than likely, the average daffodil gardener will never experience the problems that we discussed here.

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