NARCISSUS FLY

The Latin name for this fly is Merodon equestris.

These flies appear in a variety of forms, which resemble various bumblebees.

They are a medium to large hoverfly, with a body length up to 1.4cm. They are brown, hairy and variable in colour.

In spring the males fly low and hover over short tufted grass and woodland tracks, awaiting the females. After mating the female lays her eggs at the base of a bulbous plant, such as bluebell and daffodil. The larvae then burrow into the bulbous base of the plant and feed on it. They pupate in the soil either late in the autumn or the following spring.

Adults are to be seen in greenhouses as early as February and fly out-of-doors from April to late August.