Harm and Control Methods of the Lingzhi Mushroom Fly

The large mushroom fly, scientific name Neoempheriasinica, also known as the Chinese new mushroom gnat, belongs to the order Diptera, family Mycetophilidae. This insect is mainly distributed in Jiangsu, Hubei, Shanghai, Beijing and other places, and occurs mostly in the relatively damp and shady places of air-raid shelters and mine tunnels. In spring and autumn, the larvae of this insect damage edible fungi such as lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum), oyster mushroom, shiitake, wood ear, lion's mane, and enoki mushroom.

The damage is characterized by the larvae feeding on lingzhi mycelium and fruiting bodies, leaving boreholes at the damaged sites, and also excreting mucus and frass that contaminate the fungal bodies, resulting in a decline in the quality of lingzhi.

Morphological characteristics

The adult body length is 5-6.5 mm; yellowish brown, with a yellow head, and a dark brown longitudinal band running from the middle of the antennae to the rear of the head through the middle of the ocelli; 2 ocelli, large compound eyes, each with a brown patch behind the posterior margin of the compound eye that is wide in front and narrow behind; antennae long, with 14 flagellomeres; maxillary palps brown, 3-segmented; thorax well developed, the notum densely hairy and with 4 dark brown longitudinal bands, the middle two long and forming a "V" shape; forewing 5 mm long and 1.4 mm wide, with brown patches on it; legs slender, with a pair of spurs at the end of the tibia; abdomen with 9 segments, segments 1-5 each with a dark brown transverse band at the posterior end of the tergite and a dark brown longitudinal band connected at the middle.

The egg is oval, brown, pointed at the top, with an uneven dorsal surface and a smooth ventral surface.

The larva is maggot-like. At hatching it is 1-1.3 mm long, and when mature 10-16 mm, yellowish white, with a yellow head capsule, pale yellow thorax and abdomen, 12 segments in total, and dark wavy spiracular lines.

The pupa is 5.1 mm long; newly formed pupae are milky white, later gradually turning pale brown to dark brown.

Occurrence pattern: In the Wuxi area, 12 generations occur per year, and it overwinters as eggs. In April of the following year, the eggs hatch as the temperature rises and begin activity; the peak occurrence period varies with temperature in different places. In Wuxi, April to June is the peak occurrence period, while in the Beijing area, June to July is the peak period. The suitable growth temperature for this insect is 22-31°C, completing one generation takes 12-21 days, and adult lifespan is 3-6 days. The mating duration of male and female adults varies. The egg stage is 2-4 days, and the larval stage is 5-7 days. The larvae are gregarious. Adults mostly lay eggs at night, scattering the eggs on the cap and stipe of lingzhi. Adults are phototactic. After mid-October, the eggs enter the overwintering period.

Control methods

(1) Strengthen cultivation management, maintain good environmental sanitation, and eliminate insect sources. Clean up waste such as lingzhi roots left after harvest.

(2) Install screens in the cultivation room to prevent outdoor mushroom gnats from flying into the mushroom house to lay eggs. Control light sources; do not install lights near doors and windows, and reduce indoor lighting time as much as possible to avoid attracting outdoor mushroom gnats.

(3) Taking advantage of the phototaxis of adults, a 3-watt black light lamp or energy-saving lamp can be used, with a water basin placed under the lamp and 0.1% DDVP added for light trapping and killing (be sure to close doors and windows); use sticky insect boards for sticky trapping and killing by coating 40% polypropylene adhesive on wooden boards and hanging them near strong lights. This has a good effect, and the sticky trapping remains effective for about 2 months.

(4) For chemical control, spray 90% trichlorfon crystals diluted 1:500-1:1000 in the mushroom house. During the adult occurrence period, spray 80% dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate diluted 1:500-1:600, or pyrethroid insecticides.

Commonly used agents: trichlorfon crystals, dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate, cypermethrin.