Activity and Distribution of the Mushroom Phorid Fly, Megaselia halterata, in and around Commercial Mushroom Farms

摘要

The mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood) (Diptera: Phoridae), is a key pest in mushroom farming in most parts of the world. Studies on the mush-roomphorid fly have focused on its life history within mushroom growing houses, but little is known about the fly's activity outside mushroom growing houses. In this study, daily activity and distribution of adult M. halterata in the areas surrounding mushroom growing houses was studied using yellow sticky traps. Results suggest that M. halterata focuses its flight activity over turf areas rather than windbreaks and spent compost piles, possibly for mating purposes. Our study found no evidence of M. halterata breeding in turf areas surrounding mushroom growing houses. In addition, flight activityis highest in the afternoon until midnight at higher temperatures, yet at lower temperatures activity ceases after sunset. Establishingtemperature and daylight thresholds for M. halterata flight activity may be useful in developing integrated pestman-agement (IPM) tactics for this species. The most successful IPM tool that mushroom growers use at present is fly exclusion. Exclusion canbe improved by focusing farm operations around temperature and daylight thresholds when fly activity is at its lowest.