Control of fungus gnats Lycoriella sp. in mushroom (Agrocybe aegerita) cultivation with predatory mites Macrocheles glaber (Acari: Macrochelidae) and Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Acari: Laelapidae).

Abstract

Fungus gnats, Lycoriella spp. (Diptera: Sciaridae), are significant pests in edible mushroom cultivation worldwide. This study evaluates the effectiveness of 2 soil predatory mites, Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Laelapidae) and Macrocheles glaber (Macrochelidae), in controlling fungus gnats density on the mushroom Agrocybe aegerita. A controlled experiment was performed to examine and compare the effects of individual and combined releases of the 2 mite species on fungus gnats populations and their impact on mushroom yield. Results showed that both mite species significantly reduced fungus gnat populations as compared to untreated controls. However, S. scimitus exhibited superior control, effectively suppressing adult fungus gnats compared to the controls, single release of M. glaber and combined releases (M. glaber + S. scimitus). Mushroom yield was highest in the S. scimitus treatment, with no significant differences observed among other treatments and controls. Interestingly, neither mite species negatively impacted mushroom quality or budding. These findings highlight the significance of S. scimitus as a highly effective biological control agent for suppression of fungus gnats, thereby contributing to sustainable pest management practices in mushroom cultivation.