Daffodil Bulb Fly
It's a strange subject to discuss right in the middle of bulb planting season. But, I have received many private emails within the last couple of weeks on the subject of rotting daffodil bulbs, nematodes, and the bulb fly.
One email said that they had lost their entire collection of bulbs two years ago to "bulb fly." They stated that they had bought new bulbs, planted them only to find that they were totally infected again this year, black/roting and small maggots inside the bulb. In questioning, it was determined that they had evidence of bulb fly larva inside some bulbs that they dug, as well as maggots inside some other bulbs that had turned into black sludge.
The maggots, I believe is from bulb rot, and after the damage, the small daffodil bulb fly attacked.
The reason for the black and rotting bulbs, I believe, is basal rot.
Much of the email discussions of bulb damage was a rabid discussion of chemicals to treat bulbs. Before attacking problems with chemicals, make sure that chemicals will help. If you are treating the wrong problem, the situation will just continue. I'm not an anti-chemical person, but I'm not a big fan of using chemicals when other methods are more effective. However, let's explore the problem with bulb fly larva and rotting bulbs first.
This link to pests and diseases cover a lot of territory, and anyone having problems with their bulbs should get to know it fairly well. It is the best source of information that I have found for narcissus/daffodil pests and diseases.
Basal Rot
Be sure to read the section of the previous link on basal rot. Another link that should be read is New York Botanical Gardens on Daffodil Planting and Care" with specific attention to planting in wet areas and fusarium oxysporum, also known as basal rot. In my opinion, the basal rot is the cause of many bulbs turning to black mush, and the resulting little white maggots that were reported inside the black mush is the maggots from the small bulb fly, E. strigatus, that usually attacks only bulbs that are already damaged.
Narcissus/Daffodil Bulb Fly -merodon equestris
The large bulb fly is becoming a major pest for daffodils. Most systemic chemical pest sprays will control the fly when applied, generally, during the blooming season. However the best method is to make sure that you only plant bulbs that are not infected. At the same time, I acknowledge that you can't get them all. If your neighbor has daffodils, the bulb fly infection can come from there. If you dig all your bulbs to control the fly, the one bulb you left in the ground will be infected, and the infection will be back.
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