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Post by Nhan Le on May 26, 2013 21:57:37 GMT
Hi, I'm new here and I would like to ask for help to identify this despicable worm/larvae (attached image) Basically, any flower bulb put in the soil are eaten up, becoming soft and decays away. Some survive will wither over time from the dead bulb (they eat live bulb as well)... Please help
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Post by steve on May 26, 2013 22:46:03 GMT
Is this in the greenhouse or out in the garden? biggest pest for this in the greenhouse is sciarid fly maggots or mushroom fly maggots, usually an indicator that you are keeping the compost too wet, out in the garden would be something more specific like leek moth larvae?
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Post by Geranium on May 27, 2013 4:33:53 GMT
I found some advice on Narcissus bulb fly on the RHS site. Just google 'Narcissus bulb fly' and read the article - there isn't a pesticide available to the public, but there are things you can do. I hope it helps. Welcome to the forum, by the way.
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Post by Cherry on May 27, 2013 6:09:00 GMT
Welcome to the forums N. I don't know that problem, but it is a great shame.
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Post by Nhan Le on May 27, 2013 9:33:33 GMT
Sciarid Fly maggots they are! I have several pots in the greenhouse and the compost is especially crowded with these maggots.
I noticed that when I stop the watering, more flies coming up. Maybe I was imagining things up, or maybe because of my watering a few days ago. Any suggestion for this pest?
Thanks for your suggestion it is very helpful
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Post by steve on May 27, 2013 13:57:08 GMT
Try not to keep the compost too wet, those yellow sticky traps collect loads and I also have sundew plants (Drosera) dotted around my greenhouse benches ...they love the flies ;D
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Post by Rosie on May 27, 2013 21:22:45 GMT
Steve, would provado work on the bugs?
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Post by steve on May 28, 2013 7:41:17 GMT
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Post by Rosie on May 29, 2013 11:36:00 GMT
I did think that our Steve, but wasn't 100% sure. ;D
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Post by Nhan Le on Jun 28, 2013 13:35:54 GMT
This is strange that those larvae don't eat big plant, or maybe they eat very little to have any noticeable effect on big plant. However, they eat any type of seeds and bulbs. Yesterday I saw them munching my Bird's eye chili seeds. They also ate the strawberry root >.< They also take a great interest on coriander sprout, feeding days and nights on the plant. I also have Anemone Coronaria. Everytime I stopped watering, the plant withered quickly and thus I have to keep the surface moist. Then comes the Sciarid Fly maggots dilemma. Any suggestion would be appreciated.
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Post by Rosie on Jun 28, 2013 16:19:47 GMT
I know covereing the soil with about 1/2" or a couple of cms of horticultural grit will stop the flies laying their eggs in the compost as it stops them getting to it.
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Post by Nhan Le on Aug 3, 2013 20:54:09 GMT
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