Attraction of female fungus gnats (Lycoriella spp.) to oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) and oyster mushroom growing media

Monday, November 14, 2022

8:12 AM – 8:24 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 211

Presenting Author(s)

VA

Valerie M. Anderson (she/her/hers)

Graduate student research associate
The Ohio State University
Wooster, Ohio

Co-Author(s)

Luis A. Cañas

Professor
The Ohio State University
Wooster, Ohio
Grace Sward

PhD Candidate
The Ohio State University
Wooster, Ohio
Christopher M. Ranger

Research Entomologist
USDA-ARS
Wooster, Ohio

Fungus gnats have a rapid life cycle that contributes to fast growing populations that impact many commodities. In the production of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.), fungus gnat larvae feed on mycelium and greatly reduce mushroom fruiting. Adult fungus gnats infest fruiting bodies and can vector green mold (Trichoderma spp.). Conventional insecticides are not helpful for oyster mushroom producers as they have been shown to impair mushroom primordia growth and pose environmental health concerns. In prior work, we developed a bioassay method to grow oyster mushrooms and assess the effectiveness of biopesticides for fungus gnat control. To improve the management strategy for this pest, we intend to pursue behavioral work to understand fungus gnat attraction. A simple two-choice static-flow olfactometer will be used to evaluate the attractiveness of oyster mushroom substrate before and after inoculation. Gravid female fungus gnats are placed in the olfactometer release arena, where they can respond to the treatment odors by entering one of the two pit-fall traps. Treatments will include pasteurized straw, straw inoculated with P. ostreatus mycelium, P. ostreatus mycelium on PDA and P. ostreatus fruit. After 24 hours, fungus gnats found in individual pit-fall traps are counted. This testing will lead to the determination of the most attractive substrate for female fungus gnats. The expected result is greater attraction to substrates containing mycelium compared to straw and mushroom fruit. Upcoming studies will evaluate pest control methods in gourmet mushroom production, leading to more effective management strategies.