Nematodes against
mushroom flies

OUR MUSHROOM EXPERT: ULRICH TIEMANN

I would be happy to advise you on the use of nematodes in professional mushroom cultivation. Please feel free to contact me personally.

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CONTROL SCIARID FLIES WITH NEMYCEL®

Sciarid flies, also called fungus gnats, feed on compost and prefer unsprayed compost to compost colonized by Agaricus mycelium. The adult flies are attracted to the volatile components of the compost, so it can be infested any time after pasteurization when it is cool. The adult flies are 3 - 4 mm long and can be distinguished from other fungal pests by their long antennae.

Easy application of nemycel®

Mix the nematode powder in a water barrel and pour it evenly over the compost using the sprinkler system or by hand. Alternatively, the nematodes can be poured onto or mixed into the substrate when filling the tanks. The nematodes are most effective when the water content in the substrate soil is 60-70%.

Timing of the nematode application

The most crucial factor for a successful control of the Sciarid fly is the application timing, which is based on the life cycle of the Sciarid fly. For a successful treatment there must be larvae in the substrate at the time of application. Eggs are laid when the compost is filled and first larvae appear after 5 days. Therefore, apply as late as possible, i.e. with last watering. Splitting the full dose over two application dates a few days apart is advantageous and leads to better results.
 

Dosage recommendation for Phase II and Phase III composts

The general dosage recommendation is 2 million nematodes per m² applied in 1 liter of water per m². Two strategies can be used for effective application, divided into a single application and a split application.

• Single application: 2 million / m² at the last irrigation or on day 12-14.
• 
Split application: 1 million / m² immediately after application and 1 million / m² at the last watering.

ADVANTAGES OF NEMYCEL®

• High effectiveness:80% of larvae in compost can be killed by the application of nemycel®. For best results, simply dissolve nemycel® in water and feed into the irrigation system

 

• 100% biological: Our product philosophy is 100% organic. We do not use any chemical additives in our formulation and therefore ® complies with FiBL and OMRI requirements.

 

• High compatibility: The nematodes in nemycel® are infective dauer juveniles. At this particular stage, they can be combined with many active ingredients, whether biological or chemical. For example SporGon, Vivando and chlorine.

Compatibility of nematodes

CONTROL PHORID FLIES WITH NEMATODES

Phorid larvae (Megaselia halterata) feed on the mycelium, so the adult flies are not attracted to the compost until after they have been pecked to lay eggs. The larvae are white, 1 to 6 mm long, stubby at one end and pointed at the other. They feed on the growing fungal mycelium, but rarely on the fruiting bodies themselves. They can be distinguished from sciarid larvae by the absence of the black head and develop more rapidly into a pupa. Adult phorids act as a vector for dry bubble (Verticillium fungicola). 75 flies per sqm (7 per sq ft) may already cause an outbreak of this disease.
Phorid larvae can be effectively controlled with the nematode product nemycel® phorid fly.

Application conditions


At the time of application, phorid larvae or adults should be present in the compost so that the nematodes can multiply in the insects. The nematodes are effective at compost temperatures up to 30°C (86°F). At higher temperatures, nematode effectiveness decreases. Nematodes work best in substrates with a water content of 70%.
 

Application

nemycel® Phorid fly dissolves in water to form a suspension that can be easily applied to the mushroom beds. All filters must be removed. Use nozzles with a diameter of at least 0.8 mm. The pressure should not exceed 5 bar (80 psi).

Dosage

The Phorid fly has a short larvae stage which is hard to target. The larvae are only susceptible 4-5 days (at 25°C / 77°F) for nematode infestation. Therefore multiple applications with one bigger hit at casing and then less dosages later
is the best way to control phorid fly larvae significantly.

At casing - apply on compost	Day 3-4 after casing	Day 9-10 after casing	Day 15-18 after casing befor 1st flush	After first flush
1.6 mio/ m²	0.8 mio/ m²	0.8 mio/ m²	0.8 mio/ m²	1.6 mio/ m²

Effect

The nematodes actively search for the larvae and penetrate inside them. The larvae stop feeding fast after infestation and die after 2-3 days. The nematodes multiply inside the dead larvae and get out to prey on more larvae after 7-10 days.

 

Compatibility

nemycel® phorid fly can be mixed in the tank with SporGon or Vivando.
Sodium hypochlorite at a concentration of 0.05% has no effect.
Chlorine up to 50 mg per liter of water has no effect.
Hydrogen peroxide should be applied 3 days before or after Nemycel application.