Pest identification
What's eating my narcissus 'thalia'?
Narcissus bulb fly (Merodon equestris)
Signs: Grub tunnels into and consumes the bulb's interior; affected plant either fails to emerge or produces only weak, grassy leaves
Control: Drape fine insect-proof fleece or mesh over beds as leaves die back in late spring to exclude egg-laying females; destroy soft bulbs at lifting
Narcissus eelworm (Ditylenchus dipsaci)
Signs: Yellowish, distorted, and stunted foliage; soft bulbs with brown internal rings; patches of missing plants over successive years
Control: No effective chemical available to gardeners; remove and bin all affected bulbs; rest the soil from alliums and narcissus for 3 years minimum
Slugs & snails
Signs: Holes and slime trails on young emerging leaves, particularly in shaded or damp borders
Control: Ferric phosphate pellets; copper tape for pots; hand removal at dusk in wet weather
Keep narcissus 'thalia' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Narcissus 'Thalia' pests — FAQ
What is eating my narcissus 'thalia'?
Narcissus 'Thalia', a white triandrus daffodil, benefits from the narcissus toxicity that deters most mammals. Its primary enemies are narcissus bulb fly larvae that hollow out individual bulbs, narcissus eelworm causing twisted foliage, and basal rot. Slugs occasionally damage soft emerging shoots in early spring.
How do I get rid of narcissus bulb fly (merodon equestris) on narcissus 'thalia'?
Grub tunnels into and consumes the bulb's interior; affected plant either fails to emerge or produces only weak, grassy leaves Drape fine insect-proof fleece or mesh over beds as leaves die back in late spring to exclude egg-laying females; destroy soft bulbs at lifting
How do I get rid of narcissus eelworm (ditylenchus dipsaci) on narcissus 'thalia'?
Yellowish, distorted, and stunted foliage; soft bulbs with brown internal rings; patches of missing plants over successive years No effective chemical available to gardeners; remove and bin all affected bulbs; rest the soil from alliums and narcissus for 3 years minimum
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on narcissus 'thalia'?
Holes and slime trails on young emerging leaves, particularly in shaded or damp borders Ferric phosphate pellets; copper tape for pots; hand removal at dusk in wet weather