The mushroom phorid fly ''(Megaselia halterata)'' is a species of
scuttle fly or hump-backed flies in the family
Phoridae
The Phoridae are a family of small, hump-backed flies resembling fruit flies. Phorid flies can often be identified by their escape habit of running rapidly across a surface rather than taking to the wing. This behaviour is a source of one of the ...
. "The mushroom phorid" is also used to refer to ''M. halterata''. ''Megaselia halterata'' is a common pest of mushroom cultivation, attracted by the aroma of developing fungal
mycelium
Mycelium (plural mycelia) is a root-like structure of a fungus consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. Fungal colonies composed of mycelium are found in and on soil and many other substrates. A typical single spore germinates in ...
. The larvae damage both the mushroom mycelium and gill tissues. ''Megaslia halterata'' can be found worldwide.
''Megaselia halterata'' is an important pest of mushroom cultivation, capable of severely limiting mushroom yield. ''Megaselia'' are naturally infected by ''
Howardula'' nematodes, however
entomopathogenic nematodes do not readily control ''M. halterata.''
Physical appearance
Adult mushroom phorid flies are 2-3mm in length with a blackish-brown color. Their antennae are short, with only three segments. Belonging to the "Hump-backed flies" (
Phoridae
The Phoridae are a family of small, hump-backed flies resembling fruit flies. Phorid flies can often be identified by their escape habit of running rapidly across a surface rather than taking to the wing. This behaviour is a source of one of the ...
), they have a prominent-looking back side
[ ]
See also
* ''
Megaselia scalaris
The fly ''Megaselia scalaris'' is a member of the order Diptera and the family Phoridae, and it is widely distributed in warm regions of the world. The family members are commonly known as the "humpbacked fly", the "coffin fly", and the "scuttle ...
'', a related species used in forensic entomology
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q14121809
Phoridae