# Narcissus Bulb Fly (*Merodon equestris*) The Narcissus Bulb Fly is a special fly that loves to lay its eggs in daffodil bulbs. It helps flowers grow by making sure they are healthy and strong! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 53 - **Habitat:** Gardens ![Narcissus Bulb Fly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Merodon.equestris.fem.jpg&width=800) Photo: Sandy Rae, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Merodon.equestris.fem.jpg) ## Appearance The Narcissus Bulb Fly is a fuzzy, stout-bodied insect that strongly resembles a bumblebee, with black and yellow or orange bands across its abdomen. It has a large head with small antennae and clear wings, which helps distinguish it from true bees. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Syrphidae - **Genus:** Merodon ## Interesting facts - A single female Narcissus Bulb Fly can lay over one hundred eggs in her short adult life! - Their babies are tiny grubs that can spend almost a year secretly eating inside flower bulbs! - They are amazing flyers, able to hover perfectly still or even fly backwards and sideways! - They mimic bumblebees to trick hungry birds, even though they can't sting at all! ## Special abilities - **Bee Mimicry:** Narcissus Bulb Fly has black and yellow patterns that make it look like a bumblebee, which helps them avoid predators. - **Bulb Burrower:** Narcissus Bulb Fly larvae can tunnel into plant bulbs, allowing them to feed and grow safely underground. - **Precision Flight:** Narcissus Bulb Fly can hover in place or dart swiftly, allowing them to easily access nectar and evade threats. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 18-30 mm - **Size:** 9-16 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar from flowers, while their larvae eat the insides of plant bulbs. - **Age differences:** Larvae consume plant bulbs; adults feed on nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Narcissus bulbs, Tulip bulbs, Hyacinth bulbs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** Daffodil (*Narcissus pseudonarcissus*) — Larvae tunnel into and consume bulbs, causing decay. - **Parasitizes:** Common Garden Tulip (*Tulipa gesneriana*) — Larvae can also feed on tulip bulbs, destroying them. - **Parasitizes:** Common Hyacinth (*Hyacinthus orientalis*) — Larvae sometimes target hyacinth bulbs. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds are known predators of adult flies. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These flies are harmless, so you can watch them without worry! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Narcissus Bulb Fly? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Narcissus Bulb Fly's wingspan? 18-30 mm ### How big is Narcissus Bulb Fly? 9-16 mm ### How long does Narcissus Bulb Fly live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Narcissus Bulb Fly fly? 15 km/h ### What does Narcissus Bulb Fly eat? Adults sip nectar from flowers, while their larvae eat the insides of plant bulbs. ### Where is Narcissus Bulb Fly usually found? Gardens ### How does Narcissus Bulb Fly hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Ambler Heights Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ambler-heights-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Berry Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berry-botanic-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [Chestnut Street District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chestnut-street-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [City Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-park) — Colorado, US · Park - [Cleveland Cultural Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cleveland-cultural-gardens) — Ohio, US · Park - [Coker Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coker-arboretum) — North Carolina, US · Zoo [View all places to see Narcissus Bulb Fly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/narcissus-bulb-fly) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Narcissus Bulb Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/narcissus-bulb-fly)