Control Methods and Preservation Tips for Springtails in Edible Mushrooms

The short-horned springtail, also known as the horned springtail, is one of the springtails that damage edible mushrooms. The adult is 1.4 mm long, white, and cylindrical. It has 4 antennal segments. The entire body is densely covered with fine hairs, interspersed with a few long hairs. Abdominal segments 4 to 6 are fused. The claw is slender and slightly curved, with a small tooth in the center of the inner edge. The furcula is about as long as the antennae, and the terminal segment is small and curved upward, bearing 2 teeth.

During the mycelial growth stage, the short-horned springtail generally gathers on the surface of the mycelium to feed on the hyphae, destroying spawn and base roots and inhibiting mycelial growth. During the fruiting body growth stage, it feeds within the gills and can also feed on various parts of the mushroom surface. The surface of the mushroom body that has been fed upon becomes shrunken and not smooth, showing notches or holes; the water content of the mushroom body decreases, and it gradually shrivels. In addition, it can transmit viruses.

To control the short-horned springtail, pay attention to maintaining environmental sanitation at the cultivation site, prevent excessive moisture and standing water, and maintain good ventilation. Before cultivation, the mushroom house should be thoroughly disinfected; the casing soil selected should preferably be new, and both the compost and casing soil should be exposed to the sun for 2 to 3 days, then dried for later use. For the compost, secondary fermentation is recommended to kill springtails with high temperature.

If springtails occur during the fruiting stage, spray 0.1% rotenone or 1:150 to 200 pyrethrum; when there are no mushrooms on the bed surface, spray 0.4% dichlorvos or 0.2% dimethoate emulsion, or use a 1000-fold dilution of 90% trichlorfon plus a small amount of molasses in a shallow dish for bait trapping. After harvesting mushrooms, spray a 1000-fold dilution of 90% trichlorfon to reduce the number of springtails.