The Mushroom Mite (Tyrophagus lintneri (Osborn)) as a Pest...
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Transcript of The Mushroom Mite (Tyrophagus lintneri (Osborn)) as a Pest...
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MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART MICROCOPY RESOLUTI-JN TEST CHART NATIONAL BUReAU OF STANDARDS-J963-A NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS-J963-A
Technical Bulletin No 879 bull OctolJer 1944
IJNITED STATES -1~~~
DEPARTMENT OF AGBIpoundtJLTIJRE ft~ASBINGTON D~ pound
The Nlushroolll Nlite (TYlol)hagus lintneri (Oshorn)) as a Pest of Cultivated
NIus hrooul s Us A ( DIS
1ltlti~tl1l1t (ntolllotlJli-It j)iri~iflll uf TlIlIk (lIfl (lIId (JllnII fnsect IIIN81iltImiddot IjOI~ lJur((Ii of 1~lItlItollJll (1It 111 I IO ru II lillf -lyri(IIi1I1Iuf HlMurcfl ltllllillj~lratj(Jl
C()TIT-gt
PaJtmiddot
~ummary~_ 1 (hlt 11ft 11 Illtroltiuci ion EHumiddotr~(tI(middot( 11 lfisto-r) and di~trihl1tiol1 lPllbuls II Fuml h~-hitS wl inUf Ln l1tvity II ronfusioll oI lTlushr1lllm mlltillur~ witlltlat latll Ii
frrHn ntlJ(lr Pmiddot~ts (ytIJO~itlOU 1 ~yst(Jll1ti( pUfiriftl1 Llk f~i--lf)fmiddot Jtl HlIbtIrfllllJ h(Ju~s iii )flthnds III rtuiul nud ohr il1~ I Oflfft ~ o(ulflratItm I n~-(riptioH u1 taglaquomiddot - ~ I urailolH rol h
Twt~t+_~ - Chfitltir (IJJuHtioll-- tshyThl~ hfVn - l ~tur~11 tnnnk~ _ I Tlte protOIymph ~ t ContrflI by luilaf lim ___ _ 1 Th(~- hYIJ(PU-o 1 ()lurol h) piltITlitiI rflaUlwnt l rht klltntl~nllil to FHmi~atilln at Illk Itlt Tlwadnll 11 fllI(middotIHmiddotidal till Htd dniIfw~ J
[)I~lnprmmiddotnH111ltritHI L Cnntt1l1 h~ rfHrmI1 I naIr1Uut ~j
Itumljoll 12 Litf1CltHf iI~tl 25 lIallhiJlR 12 1111 Innal -tgt l Tht nymphal raul I)
SUBIARY
Tlli hnlletin (leal with th( life hiton- of til( lllllhloom mite TIJ)Jharlll~ lilillcri (OUOlll) limIer lolltl(Jlkd tCllIperatUlc and giw~ lotlS Oil it~ pnlltiol and (outlol in nllhloOII htllllmiddot~
Tlli Illite i a lltr of J1ll1hroOlll allll to a Ilt I txtellt of e1w(c ill StOlt( and ill glUnnlic5 lld mill In the muhroolll houe the Illite Ptt the pan amI make hol(middot in the items and caps of the mlt~lll()oms
There are thr(f imUlalUll taP UttWE(11 thE e[[ anl1 thE adlllt mite ~Iites were reanll in (p11 at thl(( tPlllpel1ltlllEs A templlltltllrl
mnge of from 1)0 to IK F replP-Plltd tilt tell1[lemtnre- in a Illll-h room hOllS( (llllil~ th tilt l WEpk of the SlltWU mil (j5 l(pr(ls(lltecl thai dlllill~ thl Iatel -pa 11 Illll Hnd till la-ill~ p(liod lUHI i)O that
l lllllllit c1 for flulllitatioll rUIl~ fl IIH Ditd rtllllnry 4 lH4- Yith tlw durll of tittmiddot Huthol till Hwnrllwript was prp(mrflltl for
lIuhlilariolt bS C ~ middotpi~(l anll 11 U Hpptl
60lHlo-Jj -middot1
2 TECHNICAL BULLETIN Si9 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
during the peliod of tlw hmYest At the three tlllperntures mite dewloplllel1t llquired 12 19 mcl 54 days respectively
The adults may lile over a yea at )0 F nnd as IOllg as 209 days at 76 F The ratio of the sextsis about 42])(I((l1t male to 5H J)(lcel11 femnlts The females normally lay on 1) icrt i h eggs rlwy do not oviposit before mating but begin soon aft(gt mating and continue egg lay ing through most of the Iellla i ncler of t hei l Ii yes
At 55deg F a ne gtlHmtion ~nay begirl ccry 2 months with C011shy
seqlwllt orerlappmg of gtI1Imiddotal)ns Since thc mitls lie probably bnmght into the hOllses ith the comshy
post- control meaSulps include obtaining 111111111C 110111 stahles k(pt jn a stlnitury condition andellloing the spent compost to a distance from the mnshlool1l hOllse The propPl (Olllpostillg (Ii til( rnUlUle amI healinJ of the l)lds and fnl1ligatioll with eithpl hydl()CYflllie alid gas 01 sulfm dioxide at ppak 11(11 alP shlllrla(1 cmtroJ llleaSIllmiddot~S ~iotine nIH1 PYl(thlnm npp1iNl to Iwaling IlllIShlOol11 )((s g1ngt good nlJlts Ploll1ising results WPlp obtailH(l witlt dl(lleltcs containing diehlOlmiddotopthyl (th fllld nwthyl stli(yittpound Flalllpound flmiddotpatmPllts boiling nlpl ml lin steam llIay lll IIs((l llLtw((1l Iltt flushes of growth to kill tbe mils on OL ycry lwa tIll slllflP of tlte beds
INTRODCCTION
The mushroom mite (lImiddot()Ilwqll~ 7illtll(Ii (Oshom)) is onc of the most impoJant pesfs of (ultiulp(l I1II1SltloOlIlS ill til( Fnitp(l Rtatps [nd Canldn It flPqlHllltl)T 0((111 in PIlOlllOJs Illlml)Pls in IllWhlOOIll hOllses wl1(ll its (olltlol is lxtllnwly difIitlIlt and wlHIC it is capable of ruining thl ClOp
)lost of the hiological sndips l(I)oImiddottedill this hllllpj-in wpre mlcle nt Belt~willt Md from 19) to ifHI ilHhlSiyp1 Tht pUlpost -was to dlItrl11ine the liftgt hitory and hahits of till mit yitlt paltieulll Ieillshy~nCe to sue]) plttsts IS [ollld )( Ilf i)izd i)) )))(aI1I( to prevent the occurrence of large numbers in mushroom plantings
HISTORY AND DISTRIBUTION
TIl( mushroom mijl waS dtsclibld by OSliOlH in 1893 (21)4 from spl(inlllIs SUhlllilfCt1 hy J A LintlHl who rlportrcl it as infesting 1lI1lsltlOOlllS at TalllPsport ~Illr()lk County X Y ~incc that time it has (111((1 dama to clllt inl(d muhroolllS in nlliolts plJ(rS jll the Pnitrd ~tatl all (Hllafla
The mll~hl()()11l mill alllt1 SPPIll rtlah(1 pr(ies hilye bern known 101 H lOll tiuII as IWts ill Illills Imiddotallnrips (hpls( sjorlrool1ls fmel (11)(1 plHps wll(l( ioolt1 is ktlI s a ]lest of Illllshroollls it has not brrl1 ~o important ill IPClIIt Ylars as jllmiddotpyionsly but sporadic ontbllaks n1( j 0 )( rxwel rd
TIIOl)l((rf1l~ 7iJltnlli was on(r an extremely sHion pest in the mmltlonm-)lIWillg ditri(t of PllInsYania bu1 although It fr mitcs Ctll nlwHY bl found a spriolls iJlffstntioll has not l)(ll1 Sllll in that l(gion sillte 193J 01 U)3 This may )le largtly attlibnted to
a rhe ~tlllip~ On ~OIltrol PI IIp1I11 h) R A Glhlll lit Arlintoll 1111111 Ya ill HI)and WII(- fnltll Onr by A (~ Ih1 i~ UIH[PI tll(middot -tlll(ri~if)1I of ( A r(li~t1 ill Inn 1he work wa tIHIl5f(lTf1i to H(ltsil1p ~1l ill lDri nnd (HtnlltHd niter the authors dentll in tile (gt11middot pll 1- of 1)J hy ( A 11 lIJ1l1 1 n ll (lt)lIr~ly
Italk 1l1l1llhtIS in IHucUtlll$tmiddotl) IIQPI tn Littlat til Ciltl 1)2
3 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS
better ennitary conditions throughout til( intlllstJY but it ifgt entirely possible that Ielaxation of vigilunLe would result in a letulll of the former condition
FOOD HABITS AND INJURY
TloplwrlIs 7infgtiI(]middotj is l(eoJ(kd primarily as a p(t of I11l1s1J1()oms It has been found attncking dleese in stola~e tlnd in the laboratory lIlay be leued in great 1l111llb(IS upon a arrety of organiC lIlatclials sueh as dried fruit grain Hnd tobaeto st(ms As a gtlleral thing til( mitts prefer foods that aJe lplatiely Illoist Ol ill which molds ha n~ I)(glllt to d(wlop H is plolablp that in a wild stat(~ tll( alp plishymnrily c((lers llpOll deeHying plant lllnhlial 1ml ilel flll1gi 111(i[ liking 101 fungi and th(ir ability to sUIi( alld lpt)lotlucc in pln(es
1rltlHI J-InlknI illjlllr to 1I111IJIOlOIIiS hl the 1111111111111 IlIil( (lr()JlhtlIII~ I ill 1(1)
h(l( (lt1illl( fungi an flltifilinll glowu bring tlH1tl into lIilpet eotllshypetition it It IIWII in tltt 1I111ShlOOlll indwtIY
III til( JlIIIShlOOll1 bClIs till IIlitps flcd on th( Illnmiddotlilllll 01 span ill th( COlllpost alld oil tilt IlIUShlOOlllO (spolophols) th(1115(1es 1here thc IIlit(s ale lIot (IT II II 1lIl10 LIS th( dal1l1t IItn Ill liht and thcir pnsPllCl mny Ill (OI11j)hmiddottllv oPllook(d - rhe llantagp clOll( ro the Sjlilwn b) e(ll a fairly 1ltIY Illit( il1flstltioll is 1I0t PIY apparpllt at filSt and the I(-alltill~ lldlldioll of f 11( (Io]llliay lw ltt rillllted to iOIlIC nthC1 (middotllloe Latll hOlY(J till nhS(lll( oi lllycplid t hlll(ls ill t hl (oll1]gtostis ]lot i((abl( The dttrnie to t hc rnushluolllO (ol15ists of ilcglilar holls PHt(1I into the elpo 01 slIIIS of til lllmiddotgll lll11sltrnollls tilt 1) and oolllltilllPS till llllllplll( holll)willg Ollt of tIll slllalJ )111shy1I1S The hol(s lIlay he largl anel aI( uswlIy slimy within ot COIishytain smallel inc1iidua1 f((middotdillg pits which an slilllY at their bottollis On dose examinntioll llleh hole will be fOllncl to (ontnin mitls SOIlIlshytimes a gl(at mall) In SnlH elsts tll(I( lllay bp 11IlnltiIpds or (111
thollsallds of illiteS on enrv nlllShl(IOll1 Fiull 2 holls su(h a IllllShshyroom 1101) a Yery heaYily illistt(l bed II~m(h heds the mites lIlay
4 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiO U S DEPT 0] AGlUCULTURE
1lt1 (UI I - ~lllhlO1I1 Il1itl (TlIIiJi(IImiddot~ lilllilTn (Ill Ill illlll111111( 11111lIllltll1l (rulJl a hlail~ ill(ct] hed X ahollt 1
(OIlSIII1]( nIl t 1)(1 111((] ium n nd attaek the Compot PHl1tllt Ily 11t1l1ci Ill
it 10 a slllliliqllid IIISS of filllI~middot (ollinrinnitd pall ilIes TIH mihs ill ftld iIll 11( tlwi I ()pl iClII( 11 pillV a lid dtlllIat(]y
th(middot food IlW teria I beillg Plll1((J into the 1I10tltlt alld saII(Jwlll Mitls han bppn Sl(11 to follow till 11ly((li11 thnld- (llltillg thelll nt intelshynds and destioying lllllclt OlP thall they COIISUIII(
5 THE MUSHIWOI MITE A PESf OF CULTlYATED lIUSHHOO2IS
CONFUSION OF lIUSHROOM MITE INJURY WITH THAT FROM OTHER PESTS
Mite inj Uly to tlw spawll ]11 the lwlis at any -tagc ]- JlIlt dtnldtili-tie sinc( it Collsi-ts IIlclcl~ of the disnppealHIl(e of thc mycelium as shown in Iigme 3 A with an )C(llsional attaek 011 the COIUpOSt Furth(l shy1110l( this injury is lIsllally CC)J11POUlHhd to SOIIIC cxtPllt by tl( attacb of any of scycral other rnite 01 illsect 1W-b The only way to bl Sllll
hat pest is causing the dlll1age is to lXalllil1P snmph of til( compost frotll the heds Ilndli l a stlOllg magnifying glass Plobably the illjllly is dllc l1lainly to hatewl ill-ied or Illite plclioll1inatc ill these samples
BA
FIaHI ~- 1 ~IIII lllfWIld h 11Il 11111111110111 IIlitl B 1111111111 JIIIII
Till illjlllY to 1I111~IIOOnJS (spolop1l()Jps) by aeali(1 mites hon( is lutlll1 ehala((plistJ( eonsistillL as 111- bltn laUd (If illPlulal hoh ill tlll cap (II SHIII (aeh with sllltllpl rlalk slill pits hhill Fly 111( lI-lIillly pat sllIall tllllneis and slllingtail- lHUSPII11I1j HlIHll i11(P1 11 a ( holcs XPIIHltodls lila kp iIll~tda ( pits in tlp l1111shrooms bllt thlSP alp shallow l1llt1lXtlPlllllv Iilll t hl(jIl~dlOllt Tn (ase any dOllbt (xi tIll grO(l ShOlll lllJsi-t in the lal~eh I1ntil he aetualiy finds thl P(lst lesponsible for tIl( trouble
SYSTEMATIC POSITION
TIll blxollomy a lid llol1l(lJ(la t lire of Tylojll([jus 1illt lIeli (Os1gt) lI1(L Olll( Iplahd s)l(d( of the lalllily Acrida( (( pxplaillcc1 in ID42 by Ewing and Xcsbitt (0) The synollyllly of thest mitls hae
6 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
been very confused ltm1 that of some of them 1S still ullc(ltain The renus lYloplwgtls Hnl1 family Acaridae have formerly been known as TY1Oglyphu8 and Tyroglyphic1ae respectively
METHODS OF REARING AND OBSERVING
A number of tYlltS of cpoundlls were tried foI lmiddottflinr tlwse mit(s The mmnl type is that of Michael (18) and oth(gtrs whith consists of a rlass liug cemented to a slide and eoveled -itl a cOnr glass 11(lt1 on with paraflin or pd1oleul11 jelly Anothlr type has t boHolll of wax or plaster dispensing wit h thl slide but using a cOYer glass in the same fashion Th(sl olrel plenty of 100111 for tht IlJitts anrl do not dry out readily but tlHse altiYantagts al( offset by tIlt fad that t1I(Y are open only on one side that they ale bulky and (ifliclllt to handle (a manii(st disadvantage where hlllHllcds of indiyiduals must b( handled 111(1 examilHd) and thnt flH Illites either (at the pamflin slrtl or become co-(r(c1 with the jelly Hangin~-dlop slideS haw thl c1isshyll(hant-ng( of lwcoming too wet ith condensed moisture it((lulllt Iy drollil1 th( mitcs
TIl( nlost sati-dactolY type of ctoll was fOllnd to hE 011( of paptl held betw(en 10 m i(Ioscopl slides A lWly 3-ply tllli ng pa (lPI 111 tllt llt~t qllality is Cllt into pil(ps each sliphtly smaller than a microscope ~Iidp (about ~~l by 21~ inlil(s) In til( c(ntel of (aell of thlse pic(es a holl ahout VI inch in (lial1l(lll is pllncliP(l It is impoltant that tlw Jllll1ch bl onc dlich CII[S a hole with n chan edge otlwwise lalvac are sonwtinws able to hid( in the Iaggltd pdp( of tIll hoiI TIlt papPI ShOldc1 he of til(gt Iwst quality so that long and continued soaking will not eallSt it to (0111( apalt
In ]l1tpalil1 a c(11 thc pnl)(lis soakpcl in watc prlss(ltl bct ((n two pipels of blot ing P11)(1 to lJ1OC tXCPSS Illoi stll 1( alld pla((1 on a mielof(olX sli(lp pI(gtfcrably 011( of till thin nwndinp slitits For epps and yOllng J1Iit(s it sinplt thiekn(ss of papll is sldlkitnt hilt fol a(llilts two thidmess(s ar( n((CSSHlV with the hol(s in exact Jgislcl A small hit of 100(1 is pla(((] ill til ((II 1111 lIIitl 01 Illitls alc liftNl 111 on the point of a fin brush and put into til( (11 alJolhpl lIlielos(opt slirll is placpd on top llnd the whole is wound -ith scvshyeral tUlns of lllaY) waxt( thnad 01 clippNl togpthlr ~ith sll1all elips oj spring ha~s ~Iip of pnptl (arrying 1l1lJ1111(ls 01 othel identifishycation marks may be slipl1Plt1 heneath the thnac1 or clips
At first thin slic(s of 11(Oh nJlIOllloom (1 lISlmiddott1 as 100(1 but dri(c1 lI1usllrOOIl1 was iollnltl to hl jll-t as ac((ptablp to the mitts and fal tHsill to kclp on hallet Tht food mattIil shollld be plaCNl so that it tOllelHs the edgl of t 11( pH PPI h(I( it SUOI i 1)((011 les J1 wist a nd soft and wl(re the moistule (onttnt may he ltUlat((l By ltulatin the anlOl1nt of wthr in the papel tlH~ c(11 mIY bl ktpt it th( P10 peshyhllllliltlitv and the fond at the prop( moistllle contlnL C(lls so PIlparedllJay be handltd with a minimllm of (an and ohsllat ions lIIay bpound ma(l( rapdly and (lsily at any time from either side with e1tl)(1 the low-power billo(lIlu Ol tIll (ompoUl1( mieloseopl
By w(tti ng the pa pt1 tl1l cells W(I hpt as moist as WHS compatible 1th the saJety of the mites At times moisture condensed in the ((lis in suCh Cjuantiti(s as Iltarly to drown the mites thenin I1Pccssishytating t changl to n driPl clmiddotII In til( abstllce of any method of measlIling the humidity ill sulth small SpallS it is Pl(SLlnHll that the
7 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED USHHOOMS
cells wpre kept at as nearly a snturated humidity as possible Obsershynltiollsin cultures mushroom hous( and e1H(C tolage rOOlTls haTe led to the beJief that varintions in relative humidity proyided tlHY are within reason may not playas important It part in the life histol) of lJloplul(uS lintlle1i as they do in that of SOI~1l of tlle otller cHJJdHe At any rate these 1111t(S are capable of wlthstanc1l11g relashytingtly dryas wH a lclatiYcly Illoit conditions
Stoek eulttll(S of miteswll maintained in cpll111 milk hottles C011shytaining mushroom spawn or moldy 01 othelwise dullagld grain
Meflslllel1lel1ts of a 11 stagls of t hl mitts ypre made yithollt indlllt1ing the chelicerac as t1wy an lllpabl( of bping pitllPl lwnt down or siraightp11((l out nltlring the mpaSnnlllll1t conj(clably
ObSplnlt ions WPIl Iliadc at intpITals but tllP acts of oyiposi( ion hatching and molting usually took plan at nifht and were len ill 011 Iy a fc- casC
Tn case it beculle (lcsilahle to distinllish c(rtnin Illit(s ill II culture for fl fe hOllls t1wse i nd i idllal (j( fed on wax plllltil such [IS is 11-((1 for marking gilS ThCy ate this material leadily anI the colors of thc wax in ilH intpstine (re distinguishable through the budy wall for 24 hours 01 mol(
DESCR1PTTON OF STAGES
TUE EGG
The Cfgs of llJ1oplwYU8 linlleri (fig 4 D) are rCgularly clongate oya] (II sllilill~ whitt wl1(11 firt laid and with a smooth shell ThCy an from (ll i (() 013 111111 ill Ilng( h anraginp 012 mill nlHl from OOG to 008 111m in c1ianHlcl iprafinf OOT 111111 _Ulp 2 days of ]1Hullatioll 011( (lid o tIl( (gg b(COIlllS hyalilltbullJIIt prior to the hatching oj til( lfg till h(1 1 0 W irtgular longitudinal l1mrkings altplllallly lighter alld durkel
TUE LARA
The lana of TyroP1111g liS li IIfllli (fig + A) has on1) six l(gs the poslaquoriol pair nol applaring until alter thl firt Illolt This first instal is a (par sll1liuallpnent yhile haying a weL sticky apIWHlshyancc 111( brisths OJ s(t1l a1( not so nunllOIlS as on t h( In hr stnUlS and an allantd n shown in tl]( HulC The hntth of 111( 11 111( in (11( s(ri(s 1Il(aSIi I(d rlI1~(d l)(t((1 (l1O and 03 111111 a lid as ShOl1 in table 1 illlald 011( llllll Ill( llips IPHItiI (hlouuh to mat lIIity and til( lHnrdsof s(x kppt show that size cannot Iw taken liS an indicat ion of s(X in allY oi tlll illll1l11tilC SblflS
TAIlL~ I-LcIUIlI of the 1I1I1~ff)Oll l1Iil( (1lroJllt(tUI(~ lillillcri) ill 1(110118 Iif(-IIslorJ ~Ia[(~
Aern~e Itngth or ho(l~ 0(shy
rnle __I~~I~___~h ~xe~ Alm~ 1 1m fUl
Tlnrmiddotn~~~_ ~~ ~ _____ ~ ______ _ O11fgt lrotonymph __ 0181 1 OIfII 1~2 nlutonympIL __ bull 2middot10 j 2middotHi lIi Allult berore IIlIl1ln~ 276 312 31 a ~dull arter mllting Wt ~2i ~U
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8 rECHNICAL BULLETlN 879 u S DEPT Ol~ AGItlCULlURE
D
c
lwr(r middot1-J)pIOpIIHlnl Ingw of IIIfl II liS 1i1l11l(li 1 Pi1 intII (111111) XOQ lJ (liirll illlllal (dlIlvIIYllllli) XOO C aduU XltiO D ~g XOO
9 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS
TIlE PROTONYlIPII
The nymph of the second stadium OJ protonymph is largeJ than the IalTa measuLing rom 014 to 02) 111111 in 111l~rth wlth an a(~mge of 0182 mm It is octopod and the hUI11elal allgle of the body tLC usually conspicuous giving the nymph II diamond-shaped appearance hen viewed from above 01 below It is lHa Jly (olorless at first but soon be(omes a light amber yellow The body bristles am longer in proportion anLllllore nUlllerous thall ill the larva
TIlE Hypopus
Among the ACn Jidae IhCIl is a (1IJiOllS stngC hCI((11 thC two nymphal stagli (nilId Ih( hypnpns 01 hypopial stngC TIIP hypopw is It wry different CIlatmp 110111 the octopod Ilylllph from whieh it originated beillg flattelled ith a wry haLd Ieathel) integllnlPnL hort weak legs nnd no llIolithpaJts TowaJd the posteriol end of the yltnlTal snrfnl~p thprp islI1 alI plOidpcl middotith s((1I1 (iltlrllI sllekels III sOll1e spC(i(s of acarid mites Ihe hy]lopu is lalC OJ lacking whereas in othet speeies it il WI) (()Imnon illdlPcl Sot all in(iidual- pass through thi~stnge (yell in fpelils in hidl it i (Ollllllon lnd the conshyditions gmPll1illg its ff)JJnnf ion In lIot wpll lllHlplstood Hypopi are abl( to lutTil ldYlIs( (oJl(liiion slich as lt1IYII(SS 01 a Illu(h longer time than the adult llitC a1l(l this (ollpled with the fact that they 1equirello food lIlak(s (he slag( well fiultd fOl dissemination
rhe hypopi aUacil I hplllseln hy lIHans of iPg alld sllek(I- to any 111oing objPd that (Ol)(S within glaspillg 11 it11 1 C( ilwh llS a fly dothshying of wOIklls or tool FI ips Ita ( hl(11 (en that were So (oP1ed with hY]I(l]Ji as to be ullable to fly )ollllally 1101((1 t 11( free ride (elminn(e in nl1o(I1(1 lo(ality hel till h)POIH1S dmps oil 11 l(ll1llishylions then a1( faomJjp for it- ((Yllopnlll1t (he hY]lo]llls llIoltsI)((omshying a dllItollympit (thi1dins(al) whith in 11111 bll()llllS lIll adult
ROl1e SIW(iP8 of a(lu1t llealid mites sllell as i]j8ti()~t()ll1l glll(iliplI Banks whitt alo ()((III in Illl1ShmOlll Iwels aI( -Illggish and softshybOlLi(c] ldaptllilo liing ill a sPllliliqllid nHdillll1 and unaht til ithshystand much dlsic(atil1 -Ich sp((i(s al( poorly (ftuipPNII)I making theilway to nllo(ali(iCsin till adultstag( and as would bl (x]edld hypopi a 1( ir(CI 0 Ill lld TYlopllll[IIISlilllIlli on the ut hl hand is able to withstand quil(t mnpe of dl~l(SS and ttlHwlal 11( in till allut stag( and is ratllC1 agil( alld on thl hole(11 adnpt(d to making ils way to a Il( Pllilonlllent To this s]lp(ils til( hypopial stagp i less essential HllL (11(1lt101( 11le not hwill lwen oiJselld bv tIll author
Mites han bpcn llalelt1 in qllantity ill (middotultult~ and in ~ow IllilllblS ill indiidllal ((II HlPIal tlains han J(ln Jlwintail1ltd fIOIlI tin1pound to time yet in llPlIly 10 yealsno h))(lPi han Hppealld that olld with certainty be lCillI((l (0 TIloplia[IU8 linllilri All hypopi I(alpd prowd to be thOR ()f other 81)((i(5 wmally t ho-l of ililtlio8toma hieh had somehow otttn int(J till (ult Ule
A(l1lologislsol mallY yeals failPd to (onl1(ct till hypopi with the adult aealid mites but dp(libCdt IWlll as spCcip- of t Ill genus llYPOP1l8 Aflel some time the wOIk of Jlegnin (W) and Michael (In proed thcm to be 1I1lxlla llylUphal stag( of tl1l Acalidae
bull n g Ewing in (orrls[JothlI~( ~lnt(ti thnt hp hns itllntifietl the hypoPi of this mite ill otlltlfCS
GOiJIHo-I4-middot2
10 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiD U S DEPT OF AGlUCULTURE
THE DEUTONYMPH
The nymph of th~ third stadium 01 (1ntonymph (fig 4 B) differs from the PIotoll)mph in I)(ing ~()nllwhai lalgr (on to 031 11l1ll lit length averaging 0246 111111) al1d in having tIll humeral angles of the body sOI11ehat Jess eOllspiCuous It rcseHlbls the adult very closely in appearan(p eXllpt that the sexual organs arc not fully Llevelopecl It is slightly smaller however and the hody hristles arc shorter
TUE ADULT
The adult mit( (fig 4 () is slmitranspalent and lIsually a diffuse pink-h 01 nlloish lI(ppnc1ing 011 the color of t11( food in the inshyhHti ne Thp)( iH IIHIIn 11y n150 a large l1wd ian brown or blmrnih HpoLwhieh s(ems to b( the (0I1(nt5 of the crop showing through the intlgllll1ellt alld t HJ sma Illr lateral spots lila Iking the positiolls of the oil HaeS Th( i lltlgllllll1I tis Hlnoot h and polished a lid wi t hOllt mn Ikings 1h( (ilt-lHUI11 is SIl100t hI (OIllX 01 sOIlllwhat fiatlened as yjewlcl from the side depll(ling ()11 the qllantity of material in the alimentary canal s Hll1I from a)oe til( abc1olll(n i8 rOUlllled postllioli) Ht Iongly i n(pntltl at the sides n t about the anillior t h iill and t Illll(lte allt(liolly TllPlcis usually a Iather ]lIol1lill(nt 101lgishytndilltll SlIiellS at each side jllSt within the hUIlIlItl angles but as these sulci SP(lll to 1w dul to the at t alhlllllIi of inttliol lllllseles their P)(lIllilllnlp alil~ The (pphalot hOlax is Illally conp-shappd the base llnllOPI than th( bae of Ihp nl)(lolll(n and s(pamtwl flom it b a distinct gloOl The IOStllIlHis Iath(l small and the mandiblps (dllliclltt) a 1( tooth(( as showll in fipulei ( Tlwlo is SOllle YHliashyt ion in 1he l(lnlt h of the t(l(lth an (1 ill 1he lo)ustnoHs of 1he eiwill but the 1I1il nglnlcnt of the t(let h SlIl1S to a Iy ] ittle TIlt arla ngtllIpnt of the body lIa iiS is shown in figulls 4 C and 5 B Allholllh ]lot shown ill Ih(~ figun all the hailS of thl body alld most of those of the lCgs art mil1l1tlly bipe(iinat( as sbown in 5 A The Itgs of 7yopWf1l8 lintlllli alp lathtIlnnl all(l SIlI1([(I the tarsi equal to or longer than t hl t WIgt pIpc(d i Ill joi Ilt H togl1ll(l
bull11 hOlllh the l)((t inat iOlls of thI hristles of these miles 11( minute tll(y ale middotiHiblp ((ll wit h the loY-poel hino(uliu ill liying speeimel1s 01 dr IIIOllllis IIIIlHHlnt(d SPP(illl(I1S ho(n~l tlHY 11]( YPly diflicnlt to SP H is IHtsalv to han niP fO(lIH and light xadly Iilht in ordr to ditilllIish thlllI It was thought at fils that th(v ~ere IxtllllIllv flaglll nIH1 fold(l ill UpOIl till palellt hair hell pl~(ldill tlw moullt ill Illltiillm but this StlIIIS no to I)l till caSCo ~ltmillgly UHy arC (xtPIlIlly tllin alld clll1 PIY Ilpidly IH(oll1ing Yln dlmshyelilt io dist illgllish~illf( IllOst ttalulolists hl(YoII(((I with IllJunted I1wttlia 1 it SIlIlIS posible tlw t I his elw radel might hl e uetll 0(1shylook(d ill sOllle ease even whtn pItsent
SEXLAL CIIAHACTEHS
Ill( StXpf can 11( (list illgl1ijwll lInd(middot tll( 10-])ow(1 bino(lIlar althollgh not wit It allY gnat llltaint TIH lIlale is usually slllHl1er nIHI I(ISS robllst t hnn tItl fllIlall Illinol diff(Iln((s in the shape of t Iw body (an Ill dis illllIisllld and ith just til( lIOptl light the minnte depllssioJl8 of the lOlJltiatory suckers lIlay be distinguished The
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS 11
rearing cells however may be placedlll1c1el the (ompollnd 111 iCloscope and tIle sex of mites 1lpt therpin dehllllillCcl ith little or no difficulty
llJale-TlH penis of the male is situaipd belnmiddoten the fourth pail of legs anti with its chitinous sc1erites appears lU shown ill figure 0 A
5
7 ---ie-----
13---1
14---+-1
A B
Frnnm ii-Drinil or annlomy of T(()JllIlIlI~ lilllllfrI Pnll of POifIirll hOlll
hlil1l howillg l~(tillat iUll ll (iH~rlll of Ilt(tilt half or hody hoing I 111 ll-PIIl1l r C1f lin i1 C till eilli i-tII -Iwwillg till n 1llIlgllIlllIt of (eth Till IIIUllhtlillg of Ilip lIail8 ill JJ lOIlfPOlld Willi IIIlt loy 1lly I IIII Stapitr (1) ful lllOlh(I Vci
The ma1 or eopulatnry sl1(kll~ l1( itllniNll11H on (neh -lilli of the Hill at its postriol Plld (fig 0 B)
Fmiddotmal(-ThpYlll dilwiPlllnll jitlllI( hllYlIll 11)(gt third aml fOllltlt pairs of leg (fig- U (I) Xo all1 uektls an PI(~lIIL Inl Illt(rnl yilw the raised ldllS oi Ill 1l)PIIIHtOI~ pon may Olllel1l1lPS be distinguish(middotd Oil tht llost(lo-donli 11111(( a])oc the llIlUS
J2 lECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE
DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD
DURATION
The duration of the different stages in the development of the mushshyroom mite was detelmined at 765 0 6)0 and 5iio F whieh represent temperatuns that an IIsually employed dllring the suceessiye periods ill the culture of mushrooms as will be c1iscu-ltsed under the section Life History in Mllshrool11 Houses (p 16) The two lower temperashytuns Yere maintained in temperatllre eabinlts and yere constant ithin plus or minus lhllc-fourths of a degrle The higher temperashyture was that of the laboratory room and varied hetween 720 and 800 F but as betYlen 1[)0 alHl 780 llIore than 1)0 wlcent of the time
As shmm in table 2 the duration of the dpwlopmental periods of individllal miles clilllred gnaily partiClIlarJy yhen these were reared at 55 0 F Tem]wlatuJe had (onsideraule eflect on dlYllopment the Rwragn cluml ions at 76) (j)o and 55deg F bling 12 19 and 54 days respedively The average (turnl ions of the four stages ere near the
FlGum~ 6-middotDlili1~ 01 g0I1itt1in (If TJroplll111I8 lillIIN A 101is nnd H(comshypallying clprilts or 1I1tL B Hlwi ~uckerH 01 lIull( C 111 1 (If rlllIl1le
sflme knglh bui lhl ]llnll and prolonymphal siages -pre a little shoder thnn the oilwrs Ill( hmpemture had about the same influence on all fOIIL stages lpcords of a lItJ)IJer of ltlitps Ieared at the higl1lr temperature sll()I that tIll Ilmiddotlllalel tend to dlyelop it little faster than the maltmiddots
HATCHING
PImiddotio] to the ltatching of lhe egg the shell 8hmys ilregular longishytudinal markings alternately ligliter and dadur resembling in this ]rspeet a miniature rattlpsnake wnhJlIlelon The Jlloements of the legs and cheliceme oJ the lana llla) be detected through the shell The dl(lielIal Yolk in it scraping Illotion agninst the side of the shell and tIte kgs 1I10e vigorously at int~Ials Vith fllquent pauses for rest it ((quilps certailily ~ ll1cl plobahly J or lllOle hours for the Inryt to blPilk the shlll The actual hatching occupies only 2 or 3 minutes fter the eggslwll has been rllptuletl by the chel ieerne it is jlltlwl split by moeJ1llnts of tIll legs 11nti] the l11ptmc involves progressiYlly one side one end and usually lIlost of the other side of the egg The end that is split may Je at either the posterior or anterior end of the larva
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
Technical Bulletin No 879 bull OctolJer 1944
IJNITED STATES -1~~~
DEPARTMENT OF AGBIpoundtJLTIJRE ft~ASBINGTON D~ pound
The Nlushroolll Nlite (TYlol)hagus lintneri (Oshorn)) as a Pest of Cultivated
NIus hrooul s Us A ( DIS
1ltlti~tl1l1t (ntolllotlJli-It j)iri~iflll uf TlIlIk (lIfl (lIId (JllnII fnsect IIIN81iltImiddot IjOI~ lJur((Ii of 1~lItlItollJll (1It 111 I IO ru II lillf -lyri(IIi1I1Iuf HlMurcfl ltllllillj~lratj(Jl
C()TIT-gt
PaJtmiddot
~ummary~_ 1 (hlt 11ft 11 Illtroltiuci ion EHumiddotr~(tI(middot( 11 lfisto-r) and di~trihl1tiol1 lPllbuls II Fuml h~-hitS wl inUf Ln l1tvity II ronfusioll oI lTlushr1lllm mlltillur~ witlltlat latll Ii
frrHn ntlJ(lr Pmiddot~ts (ytIJO~itlOU 1 ~yst(Jll1ti( pUfiriftl1 Llk f~i--lf)fmiddot Jtl HlIbtIrfllllJ h(Ju~s iii )flthnds III rtuiul nud ohr il1~ I Oflfft ~ o(ulflratItm I n~-(riptioH u1 taglaquomiddot - ~ I urailolH rol h
Twt~t+_~ - Chfitltir (IJJuHtioll-- tshyThl~ hfVn - l ~tur~11 tnnnk~ _ I Tlte protOIymph ~ t ContrflI by luilaf lim ___ _ 1 Th(~- hYIJ(PU-o 1 ()lurol h) piltITlitiI rflaUlwnt l rht klltntl~nllil to FHmi~atilln at Illk Itlt Tlwadnll 11 fllI(middotIHmiddotidal till Htd dniIfw~ J
[)I~lnprmmiddotnH111ltritHI L Cnntt1l1 h~ rfHrmI1 I naIr1Uut ~j
Itumljoll 12 Litf1CltHf iI~tl 25 lIallhiJlR 12 1111 Innal -tgt l Tht nymphal raul I)
SUBIARY
Tlli hnlletin (leal with th( life hiton- of til( lllllhloom mite TIJ)Jharlll~ lilillcri (OUOlll) limIer lolltl(Jlkd tCllIperatUlc and giw~ lotlS Oil it~ pnlltiol and (outlol in nllhloOII htllllmiddot~
Tlli Illite i a lltr of J1ll1hroOlll allll to a Ilt I txtellt of e1w(c ill StOlt( and ill glUnnlic5 lld mill In the muhroolll houe the Illite Ptt the pan amI make hol(middot in the items and caps of the mlt~lll()oms
There are thr(f imUlalUll taP UttWE(11 thE e[[ anl1 thE adlllt mite ~Iites were reanll in (p11 at thl(( tPlllpel1ltlllEs A templlltltllrl
mnge of from 1)0 to IK F replP-Plltd tilt tell1[lemtnre- in a Illll-h room hOllS( (llllil~ th tilt l WEpk of the SlltWU mil (j5 l(pr(ls(lltecl thai dlllill~ thl Iatel -pa 11 Illll Hnd till la-ill~ p(liod lUHI i)O that
l lllllllit c1 for flulllitatioll rUIl~ fl IIH Ditd rtllllnry 4 lH4- Yith tlw durll of tittmiddot Huthol till Hwnrllwript was prp(mrflltl for
lIuhlilariolt bS C ~ middotpi~(l anll 11 U Hpptl
60lHlo-Jj -middot1
2 TECHNICAL BULLETIN Si9 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
during the peliod of tlw hmYest At the three tlllperntures mite dewloplllel1t llquired 12 19 mcl 54 days respectively
The adults may lile over a yea at )0 F nnd as IOllg as 209 days at 76 F The ratio of the sextsis about 42])(I((l1t male to 5H J)(lcel11 femnlts The females normally lay on 1) icrt i h eggs rlwy do not oviposit before mating but begin soon aft(gt mating and continue egg lay ing through most of the Iellla i ncler of t hei l Ii yes
At 55deg F a ne gtlHmtion ~nay begirl ccry 2 months with C011shy
seqlwllt orerlappmg of gtI1Imiddotal)ns Since thc mitls lie probably bnmght into the hOllses ith the comshy
post- control meaSulps include obtaining 111111111C 110111 stahles k(pt jn a stlnitury condition andellloing the spent compost to a distance from the mnshlool1l hOllse The propPl (Olllpostillg (Ii til( rnUlUle amI healinJ of the l)lds and fnl1ligatioll with eithpl hydl()CYflllie alid gas 01 sulfm dioxide at ppak 11(11 alP shlllrla(1 cmtroJ llleaSIllmiddot~S ~iotine nIH1 PYl(thlnm npp1iNl to Iwaling IlllIShlOol11 )((s g1ngt good nlJlts Ploll1ising results WPlp obtailH(l witlt dl(lleltcs containing diehlOlmiddotopthyl (th fllld nwthyl stli(yittpound Flalllpound flmiddotpatmPllts boiling nlpl ml lin steam llIay lll IIs((l llLtw((1l Iltt flushes of growth to kill tbe mils on OL ycry lwa tIll slllflP of tlte beds
INTRODCCTION
The mushroom mite (lImiddot()Ilwqll~ 7illtll(Ii (Oshom)) is onc of the most impoJant pesfs of (ultiulp(l I1II1SltloOlIlS ill til( Fnitp(l Rtatps [nd Canldn It flPqlHllltl)T 0((111 in PIlOlllOJs Illlml)Pls in IllWhlOOIll hOllses wl1(ll its (olltlol is lxtllnwly difIitlIlt and wlHIC it is capable of ruining thl ClOp
)lost of the hiological sndips l(I)oImiddottedill this hllllpj-in wpre mlcle nt Belt~willt Md from 19) to ifHI ilHhlSiyp1 Tht pUlpost -was to dlItrl11ine the liftgt hitory and hahits of till mit yitlt paltieulll Ieillshy~nCe to sue]) plttsts IS [ollld )( Ilf i)izd i)) )))(aI1I( to prevent the occurrence of large numbers in mushroom plantings
HISTORY AND DISTRIBUTION
TIl( mushroom mijl waS dtsclibld by OSliOlH in 1893 (21)4 from spl(inlllIs SUhlllilfCt1 hy J A LintlHl who rlportrcl it as infesting 1lI1lsltlOOlllS at TalllPsport ~Illr()lk County X Y ~incc that time it has (111((1 dama to clllt inl(d muhroolllS in nlliolts plJ(rS jll the Pnitrd ~tatl all (Hllafla
The mll~hl()()11l mill alllt1 SPPIll rtlah(1 pr(ies hilye bern known 101 H lOll tiuII as IWts ill Illills Imiddotallnrips (hpls( sjorlrool1ls fmel (11)(1 plHps wll(l( ioolt1 is ktlI s a ]lest of Illllshroollls it has not brrl1 ~o important ill IPClIIt Ylars as jllmiddotpyionsly but sporadic ontbllaks n1( j 0 )( rxwel rd
TIIOl)l((rf1l~ 7iJltnlli was on(r an extremely sHion pest in the mmltlonm-)lIWillg ditri(t of PllInsYania bu1 although It fr mitcs Ctll nlwHY bl found a spriolls iJlffstntioll has not l)(ll1 Sllll in that l(gion sillte 193J 01 U)3 This may )le largtly attlibnted to
a rhe ~tlllip~ On ~OIltrol PI IIp1I11 h) R A Glhlll lit Arlintoll 1111111 Ya ill HI)and WII(- fnltll Onr by A (~ Ih1 i~ UIH[PI tll(middot -tlll(ri~if)1I of ( A r(li~t1 ill Inn 1he work wa tIHIl5f(lTf1i to H(ltsil1p ~1l ill lDri nnd (HtnlltHd niter the authors dentll in tile (gt11middot pll 1- of 1)J hy ( A 11 lIJ1l1 1 n ll (lt)lIr~ly
Italk 1l1l1llhtIS in IHucUtlll$tmiddotl) IIQPI tn Littlat til Ciltl 1)2
3 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS
better ennitary conditions throughout til( intlllstJY but it ifgt entirely possible that Ielaxation of vigilunLe would result in a letulll of the former condition
FOOD HABITS AND INJURY
TloplwrlIs 7infgtiI(]middotj is l(eoJ(kd primarily as a p(t of I11l1s1J1()oms It has been found attncking dleese in stola~e tlnd in the laboratory lIlay be leued in great 1l111llb(IS upon a arrety of organiC lIlatclials sueh as dried fruit grain Hnd tobaeto st(ms As a gtlleral thing til( mitts prefer foods that aJe lplatiely Illoist Ol ill which molds ha n~ I)(glllt to d(wlop H is plolablp that in a wild stat(~ tll( alp plishymnrily c((lers llpOll deeHying plant lllnhlial 1ml ilel flll1gi 111(i[ liking 101 fungi and th(ir ability to sUIi( alld lpt)lotlucc in pln(es
1rltlHI J-InlknI illjlllr to 1I111IJIOlOIIiS hl the 1111111111111 IlIil( (lr()JlhtlIII~ I ill 1(1)
h(l( (lt1illl( fungi an flltifilinll glowu bring tlH1tl into lIilpet eotllshypetition it It IIWII in tltt 1I111ShlOOlll indwtIY
III til( JlIIIShlOOll1 bClIs till IIlitps flcd on th( Illnmiddotlilllll 01 span ill th( COlllpost alld oil tilt IlIUShlOOlllO (spolophols) th(1115(1es 1here thc IIlit(s ale lIot (IT II II 1lIl10 LIS th( dal1l1t IItn Ill liht and thcir pnsPllCl mny Ill (OI11j)hmiddottllv oPllook(d - rhe llantagp clOll( ro the Sjlilwn b) e(ll a fairly 1ltIY Illit( il1flstltioll is 1I0t PIY apparpllt at filSt and the I(-alltill~ lldlldioll of f 11( (Io]llliay lw ltt rillllted to iOIlIC nthC1 (middotllloe Latll hOlY(J till nhS(lll( oi lllycplid t hlll(ls ill t hl (oll1]gtostis ]lot i((abl( The dttrnie to t hc rnushluolllO (ol15ists of ilcglilar holls PHt(1I into the elpo 01 slIIIS of til lllmiddotgll lll11sltrnollls tilt 1) and oolllltilllPS till llllllplll( holll)willg Ollt of tIll slllalJ )111shy1I1S The hol(s lIlay he largl anel aI( uswlIy slimy within ot COIishytain smallel inc1iidua1 f((middotdillg pits which an slilllY at their bottollis On dose examinntioll llleh hole will be fOllncl to (ontnin mitls SOIlIlshytimes a gl(at mall) In SnlH elsts tll(I( lllay bp 11IlnltiIpds or (111
thollsallds of illiteS on enrv nlllShl(IOll1 Fiull 2 holls su(h a IllllShshyroom 1101) a Yery heaYily illistt(l bed II~m(h heds the mites lIlay
4 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiO U S DEPT 0] AGlUCULTURE
1lt1 (UI I - ~lllhlO1I1 Il1itl (TlIIiJi(IImiddot~ lilllilTn (Ill Ill illlll111111( 11111lIllltll1l (rulJl a hlail~ ill(ct] hed X ahollt 1
(OIlSIII1]( nIl t 1)(1 111((] ium n nd attaek the Compot PHl1tllt Ily 11t1l1ci Ill
it 10 a slllliliqllid IIISS of filllI~middot (ollinrinnitd pall ilIes TIH mihs ill ftld iIll 11( tlwi I ()pl iClII( 11 pillV a lid dtlllIat(]y
th(middot food IlW teria I beillg Plll1((J into the 1I10tltlt alld saII(Jwlll Mitls han bppn Sl(11 to follow till 11ly((li11 thnld- (llltillg thelll nt intelshynds and destioying lllllclt OlP thall they COIISUIII(
5 THE MUSHIWOI MITE A PESf OF CULTlYATED lIUSHHOO2IS
CONFUSION OF lIUSHROOM MITE INJURY WITH THAT FROM OTHER PESTS
Mite inj Uly to tlw spawll ]11 the lwlis at any -tagc ]- JlIlt dtnldtili-tie sinc( it Collsi-ts IIlclcl~ of the disnppealHIl(e of thc mycelium as shown in Iigme 3 A with an )C(llsional attaek 011 the COIUpOSt Furth(l shy1110l( this injury is lIsllally CC)J11POUlHhd to SOIIIC cxtPllt by tl( attacb of any of scycral other rnite 01 illsect 1W-b The only way to bl Sllll
hat pest is causing the dlll1age is to lXalllil1P snmph of til( compost frotll the heds Ilndli l a stlOllg magnifying glass Plobably the illjllly is dllc l1lainly to hatewl ill-ied or Illite plclioll1inatc ill these samples
BA
FIaHI ~- 1 ~IIII lllfWIld h 11Il 11111111110111 IIlitl B 1111111111 JIIIII
Till illjlllY to 1I111~IIOOnJS (spolop1l()Jps) by aeali(1 mites hon( is lutlll1 ehala((plistJ( eonsistillL as 111- bltn laUd (If illPlulal hoh ill tlll cap (II SHIII (aeh with sllltllpl rlalk slill pits hhill Fly 111( lI-lIillly pat sllIall tllllneis and slllingtail- lHUSPII11I1j HlIHll i11(P1 11 a ( holcs XPIIHltodls lila kp iIll~tda ( pits in tlp l1111shrooms bllt thlSP alp shallow l1llt1lXtlPlllllv Iilll t hl(jIl~dlOllt Tn (ase any dOllbt (xi tIll grO(l ShOlll lllJsi-t in the lal~eh I1ntil he aetualiy finds thl P(lst lesponsible for tIl( trouble
SYSTEMATIC POSITION
TIll blxollomy a lid llol1l(lJ(la t lire of Tylojll([jus 1illt lIeli (Os1gt) lI1(L Olll( Iplahd s)l(d( of the lalllily Acrida( (( pxplaillcc1 in ID42 by Ewing and Xcsbitt (0) The synollyllly of thest mitls hae
6 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
been very confused ltm1 that of some of them 1S still ullc(ltain The renus lYloplwgtls Hnl1 family Acaridae have formerly been known as TY1Oglyphu8 and Tyroglyphic1ae respectively
METHODS OF REARING AND OBSERVING
A number of tYlltS of cpoundlls were tried foI lmiddottflinr tlwse mit(s The mmnl type is that of Michael (18) and oth(gtrs whith consists of a rlass liug cemented to a slide and eoveled -itl a cOnr glass 11(lt1 on with paraflin or pd1oleul11 jelly Anothlr type has t boHolll of wax or plaster dispensing wit h thl slide but using a cOYer glass in the same fashion Th(sl olrel plenty of 100111 for tht IlJitts anrl do not dry out readily but tlHse altiYantagts al( offset by tIlt fad that t1I(Y are open only on one side that they ale bulky and (ifliclllt to handle (a manii(st disadvantage where hlllHllcds of indiyiduals must b( handled 111(1 examilHd) and thnt flH Illites either (at the pamflin slrtl or become co-(r(c1 with the jelly Hangin~-dlop slideS haw thl c1isshyll(hant-ng( of lwcoming too wet ith condensed moisture it((lulllt Iy drollil1 th( mitcs
TIl( nlost sati-dactolY type of ctoll was fOllnd to hE 011( of paptl held betw(en 10 m i(Ioscopl slides A lWly 3-ply tllli ng pa (lPI 111 tllt llt~t qllality is Cllt into pil(ps each sliphtly smaller than a microscope ~Iidp (about ~~l by 21~ inlil(s) In til( c(ntel of (aell of thlse pic(es a holl ahout VI inch in (lial1l(lll is pllncliP(l It is impoltant that tlw Jllll1ch bl onc dlich CII[S a hole with n chan edge otlwwise lalvac are sonwtinws able to hid( in the Iaggltd pdp( of tIll hoiI TIlt papPI ShOldc1 he of til(gt Iwst quality so that long and continued soaking will not eallSt it to (0111( apalt
In ]l1tpalil1 a c(11 thc pnl)(lis soakpcl in watc prlss(ltl bct ((n two pipels of blot ing P11)(1 to lJ1OC tXCPSS Illoi stll 1( alld pla((1 on a mielof(olX sli(lp pI(gtfcrably 011( of till thin nwndinp slitits For epps and yOllng J1Iit(s it sinplt thiekn(ss of papll is sldlkitnt hilt fol a(llilts two thidmess(s ar( n((CSSHlV with the hol(s in exact Jgislcl A small hit of 100(1 is pla(((] ill til ((II 1111 lIIitl 01 Illitls alc liftNl 111 on the point of a fin brush and put into til( (11 alJolhpl lIlielos(opt slirll is placpd on top llnd the whole is wound -ith scvshyeral tUlns of lllaY) waxt( thnad 01 clippNl togpthlr ~ith sll1all elips oj spring ha~s ~Iip of pnptl (arrying 1l1lJ1111(ls 01 othel identifishycation marks may be slipl1Plt1 heneath the thnac1 or clips
At first thin slic(s of 11(Oh nJlIOllloom (1 lISlmiddott1 as 100(1 but dri(c1 lI1usllrOOIl1 was iollnltl to hl jll-t as ac((ptablp to the mitts and fal tHsill to kclp on hallet Tht food mattIil shollld be plaCNl so that it tOllelHs the edgl of t 11( pH PPI h(I( it SUOI i 1)((011 les J1 wist a nd soft and wl(re the moistule (onttnt may he ltUlat((l By ltulatin the anlOl1nt of wthr in the papel tlH~ c(11 mIY bl ktpt it th( P10 peshyhllllliltlitv and the fond at the prop( moistllle contlnL C(lls so PIlparedllJay be handltd with a minimllm of (an and ohsllat ions lIIay bpound ma(l( rapdly and (lsily at any time from either side with e1tl)(1 the low-power billo(lIlu Ol tIll (ompoUl1( mieloseopl
By w(tti ng the pa pt1 tl1l cells W(I hpt as moist as WHS compatible 1th the saJety of the mites At times moisture condensed in the ((lis in suCh Cjuantiti(s as Iltarly to drown the mites thenin I1Pccssishytating t changl to n driPl clmiddotII In til( abstllce of any method of measlIling the humidity ill sulth small SpallS it is Pl(SLlnHll that the
7 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED USHHOOMS
cells wpre kept at as nearly a snturated humidity as possible Obsershynltiollsin cultures mushroom hous( and e1H(C tolage rOOlTls haTe led to the beJief that varintions in relative humidity proyided tlHY are within reason may not playas important It part in the life histol) of lJloplul(uS lintlle1i as they do in that of SOI~1l of tlle otller cHJJdHe At any rate these 1111t(S are capable of wlthstanc1l11g relashytingtly dryas wH a lclatiYcly Illoit conditions
Stoek eulttll(S of miteswll maintained in cpll111 milk hottles C011shytaining mushroom spawn or moldy 01 othelwise dullagld grain
Meflslllel1lel1ts of a 11 stagls of t hl mitts ypre made yithollt indlllt1ing the chelicerac as t1wy an lllpabl( of bping pitllPl lwnt down or siraightp11((l out nltlring the mpaSnnlllll1t conj(clably
ObSplnlt ions WPIl Iliadc at intpITals but tllP acts of oyiposi( ion hatching and molting usually took plan at nifht and were len ill 011 Iy a fc- casC
Tn case it beculle (lcsilahle to distinllish c(rtnin Illit(s ill II culture for fl fe hOllls t1wse i nd i idllal (j( fed on wax plllltil such [IS is 11-((1 for marking gilS ThCy ate this material leadily anI the colors of thc wax in ilH intpstine (re distinguishable through the budy wall for 24 hours 01 mol(
DESCR1PTTON OF STAGES
TUE EGG
The Cfgs of llJ1oplwYU8 linlleri (fig 4 D) are rCgularly clongate oya] (II sllilill~ whitt wl1(11 firt laid and with a smooth shell ThCy an from (ll i (() 013 111111 ill Ilng( h anraginp 012 mill nlHl from OOG to 008 111m in c1ianHlcl iprafinf OOT 111111 _Ulp 2 days of ]1Hullatioll 011( (lid o tIl( (gg b(COIlllS hyalilltbullJIIt prior to the hatching oj til( lfg till h(1 1 0 W irtgular longitudinal l1mrkings altplllallly lighter alld durkel
TUE LARA
The lana of TyroP1111g liS li IIfllli (fig + A) has on1) six l(gs the poslaquoriol pair nol applaring until alter thl firt Illolt This first instal is a (par sll1liuallpnent yhile haying a weL sticky apIWHlshyancc 111( brisths OJ s(t1l a1( not so nunllOIlS as on t h( In hr stnUlS and an allantd n shown in tl]( HulC The hntth of 111( 11 111( in (11( s(ri(s 1Il(aSIi I(d rlI1~(d l)(t((1 (l1O and 03 111111 a lid as ShOl1 in table 1 illlald 011( llllll Ill( llips IPHItiI (hlouuh to mat lIIity and til( lHnrdsof s(x kppt show that size cannot Iw taken liS an indicat ion of s(X in allY oi tlll illll1l11tilC SblflS
TAIlL~ I-LcIUIlI of the 1I1I1~ff)Oll l1Iil( (1lroJllt(tUI(~ lillillcri) ill 1(110118 Iif(-IIslorJ ~Ia[(~
Aern~e Itngth or ho(l~ 0(shy
rnle __I~~I~___~h ~xe~ Alm~ 1 1m fUl
Tlnrmiddotn~~~_ ~~ ~ _____ ~ ______ _ O11fgt lrotonymph __ 0181 1 OIfII 1~2 nlutonympIL __ bull 2middot10 j 2middotHi lIi Allult berore IIlIl1ln~ 276 312 31 a ~dull arter mllting Wt ~2i ~U
--------------------------~------
8 rECHNICAL BULLETlN 879 u S DEPT Ol~ AGItlCULlURE
D
c
lwr(r middot1-J)pIOpIIHlnl Ingw of IIIfl II liS 1i1l11l(li 1 Pi1 intII (111111) XOQ lJ (liirll illlllal (dlIlvIIYllllli) XOO C aduU XltiO D ~g XOO
9 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS
TIlE PROTONYlIPII
The nymph of the second stadium OJ protonymph is largeJ than the IalTa measuLing rom 014 to 02) 111111 in 111l~rth wlth an a(~mge of 0182 mm It is octopod and the hUI11elal allgle of the body tLC usually conspicuous giving the nymph II diamond-shaped appearance hen viewed from above 01 below It is lHa Jly (olorless at first but soon be(omes a light amber yellow The body bristles am longer in proportion anLllllore nUlllerous thall ill the larva
TIlE Hypopus
Among the ACn Jidae IhCIl is a (1IJiOllS stngC hCI((11 thC two nymphal stagli (nilId Ih( hypnpns 01 hypopial stngC TIIP hypopw is It wry different CIlatmp 110111 the octopod Ilylllph from whieh it originated beillg flattelled ith a wry haLd Ieathel) integllnlPnL hort weak legs nnd no llIolithpaJts TowaJd the posteriol end of the yltnlTal snrfnl~p thprp islI1 alI plOidpcl middotith s((1I1 (iltlrllI sllekels III sOll1e spC(i(s of acarid mites Ihe hy]lopu is lalC OJ lacking whereas in othet speeies it il WI) (()Imnon illdlPcl Sot all in(iidual- pass through thi~stnge (yell in fpelils in hidl it i (Ollllllon lnd the conshyditions gmPll1illg its ff)JJnnf ion In lIot wpll lllHlplstood Hypopi are abl( to lutTil ldYlIs( (oJl(liiion slich as lt1IYII(SS 01 a Illu(h longer time than the adult llitC a1l(l this (ollpled with the fact that they 1equirello food lIlak(s (he slag( well fiultd fOl dissemination
rhe hypopi aUacil I hplllseln hy lIHans of iPg alld sllek(I- to any 111oing objPd that (Ol)(S within glaspillg 11 it11 1 C( ilwh llS a fly dothshying of wOIklls or tool FI ips Ita ( hl(11 (en that were So (oP1ed with hY]I(l]Ji as to be ullable to fly )ollllally 1101((1 t 11( free ride (elminn(e in nl1o(I1(1 lo(ality hel till h)POIH1S dmps oil 11 l(ll1llishylions then a1( faomJjp for it- ((Yllopnlll1t (he hY]lo]llls llIoltsI)((omshying a dllItollympit (thi1dins(al) whith in 11111 bll()llllS lIll adult
ROl1e SIW(iP8 of a(lu1t llealid mites sllell as i]j8ti()~t()ll1l glll(iliplI Banks whitt alo ()((III in Illl1ShmOlll Iwels aI( -Illggish and softshybOlLi(c] ldaptllilo liing ill a sPllliliqllid nHdillll1 and unaht til ithshystand much dlsic(atil1 -Ich sp((i(s al( poorly (ftuipPNII)I making theilway to nllo(ali(iCsin till adultstag( and as would bl (x]edld hypopi a 1( ir(CI 0 Ill lld TYlopllll[IIISlilllIlli on the ut hl hand is able to withstand quil(t mnpe of dl~l(SS and ttlHwlal 11( in till allut stag( and is ratllC1 agil( alld on thl hole(11 adnpt(d to making ils way to a Il( Pllilonlllent To this s]lp(ils til( hypopial stagp i less essential HllL (11(1lt101( 11le not hwill lwen oiJselld bv tIll author
Mites han bpcn llalelt1 in qllantity ill (middotultult~ and in ~ow IllilllblS ill indiidllal ((II HlPIal tlains han J(ln Jlwintail1ltd fIOIlI tin1pound to time yet in llPlIly 10 yealsno h))(lPi han Hppealld that olld with certainty be lCillI((l (0 TIloplia[IU8 linllilri All hypopi I(alpd prowd to be thOR ()f other 81)((i(5 wmally t ho-l of ililtlio8toma hieh had somehow otttn int(J till (ult Ule
A(l1lologislsol mallY yeals failPd to (onl1(ct till hypopi with the adult aealid mites but dp(libCdt IWlll as spCcip- of t Ill genus llYPOP1l8 Aflel some time the wOIk of Jlegnin (W) and Michael (In proed thcm to be 1I1lxlla llylUphal stag( of tl1l Acalidae
bull n g Ewing in (orrls[JothlI~( ~lnt(ti thnt hp hns itllntifietl the hypoPi of this mite ill otlltlfCS
GOiJIHo-I4-middot2
10 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiD U S DEPT OF AGlUCULTURE
THE DEUTONYMPH
The nymph of th~ third stadium 01 (1ntonymph (fig 4 B) differs from the PIotoll)mph in I)(ing ~()nllwhai lalgr (on to 031 11l1ll lit length averaging 0246 111111) al1d in having tIll humeral angles of the body sOI11ehat Jess eOllspiCuous It rcseHlbls the adult very closely in appearan(p eXllpt that the sexual organs arc not fully Llevelopecl It is slightly smaller however and the hody hristles arc shorter
TUE ADULT
The adult mit( (fig 4 () is slmitranspalent and lIsually a diffuse pink-h 01 nlloish lI(ppnc1ing 011 the color of t11( food in the inshyhHti ne Thp)( iH IIHIIn 11y n150 a large l1wd ian brown or blmrnih HpoLwhieh s(ems to b( the (0I1(nt5 of the crop showing through the intlgllll1ellt alld t HJ sma Illr lateral spots lila Iking the positiolls of the oil HaeS Th( i lltlgllllll1I tis Hlnoot h and polished a lid wi t hOllt mn Ikings 1h( (ilt-lHUI11 is SIl100t hI (OIllX 01 sOIlllwhat fiatlened as yjewlcl from the side depll(ling ()11 the qllantity of material in the alimentary canal s Hll1I from a)oe til( abc1olll(n i8 rOUlllled postllioli) Ht Iongly i n(pntltl at the sides n t about the anillior t h iill and t Illll(lte allt(liolly TllPlcis usually a Iather ]lIol1lill(nt 101lgishytndilltll SlIiellS at each side jllSt within the hUIlIlItl angles but as these sulci SP(lll to 1w dul to the at t alhlllllIi of inttliol lllllseles their P)(lIllilllnlp alil~ The (pphalot hOlax is Illally conp-shappd the base llnllOPI than th( bae of Ihp nl)(lolll(n and s(pamtwl flom it b a distinct gloOl The IOStllIlHis Iath(l small and the mandiblps (dllliclltt) a 1( tooth(( as showll in fipulei ( Tlwlo is SOllle YHliashyt ion in 1he l(lnlt h of the t(l(lth an (1 ill 1he lo)ustnoHs of 1he eiwill but the 1I1il nglnlcnt of the t(let h SlIl1S to a Iy ] ittle TIlt arla ngtllIpnt of the body lIa iiS is shown in figulls 4 C and 5 B Allholllh ]lot shown ill Ih(~ figun all the hailS of thl body alld most of those of the lCgs art mil1l1tlly bipe(iinat( as sbown in 5 A The Itgs of 7yopWf1l8 lintlllli alp lathtIlnnl all(l SIlI1([(I the tarsi equal to or longer than t hl t WIgt pIpc(d i Ill joi Ilt H togl1ll(l
bull11 hOlllh the l)((t inat iOlls of thI hristles of these miles 11( minute tll(y ale middotiHiblp ((ll wit h the loY-poel hino(uliu ill liying speeimel1s 01 dr IIIOllllis IIIIlHHlnt(d SPP(illl(I1S ho(n~l tlHY 11]( YPly diflicnlt to SP H is IHtsalv to han niP fO(lIH and light xadly Iilht in ordr to ditilllIish thlllI It was thought at fils that th(v ~ere IxtllllIllv flaglll nIH1 fold(l ill UpOIl till palellt hair hell pl~(ldill tlw moullt ill Illltiillm but this StlIIIS no to I)l till caSCo ~ltmillgly UHy arC (xtPIlIlly tllin alld clll1 PIY Ilpidly IH(oll1ing Yln dlmshyelilt io dist illgllish~illf( IllOst ttalulolists hl(YoII(((I with IllJunted I1wttlia 1 it SIlIlIS posible tlw t I his elw radel might hl e uetll 0(1shylook(d ill sOllle ease even whtn pItsent
SEXLAL CIIAHACTEHS
Ill( StXpf can 11( (list illgl1ijwll lInd(middot tll( 10-])ow(1 bino(lIlar althollgh not wit It allY gnat llltaint TIH lIlale is usually slllHl1er nIHI I(ISS robllst t hnn tItl fllIlall Illinol diff(Iln((s in the shape of t Iw body (an Ill dis illllIisllld and ith just til( lIOptl light the minnte depllssioJl8 of the lOlJltiatory suckers lIlay be distinguished The
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS 11
rearing cells however may be placedlll1c1el the (ompollnd 111 iCloscope and tIle sex of mites 1lpt therpin dehllllillCcl ith little or no difficulty
llJale-TlH penis of the male is situaipd belnmiddoten the fourth pail of legs anti with its chitinous sc1erites appears lU shown ill figure 0 A
5
7 ---ie-----
13---1
14---+-1
A B
Frnnm ii-Drinil or annlomy of T(()JllIlIlI~ lilllllfrI Pnll of POifIirll hOlll
hlil1l howillg l~(tillat iUll ll (iH~rlll of Ilt(tilt half or hody hoing I 111 ll-PIIl1l r C1f lin i1 C till eilli i-tII -Iwwillg till n 1llIlgllIlllIt of (eth Till IIIUllhtlillg of Ilip lIail8 ill JJ lOIlfPOlld Willi IIIlt loy 1lly I IIII Stapitr (1) ful lllOlh(I Vci
The ma1 or eopulatnry sl1(kll~ l1( itllniNll11H on (neh -lilli of the Hill at its postriol Plld (fig 0 B)
Fmiddotmal(-ThpYlll dilwiPlllnll jitlllI( hllYlIll 11)(gt third aml fOllltlt pairs of leg (fig- U (I) Xo all1 uektls an PI(~lIIL Inl Illt(rnl yilw the raised ldllS oi Ill 1l)PIIIHtOI~ pon may Olllel1l1lPS be distinguish(middotd Oil tht llost(lo-donli 11111(( a])oc the llIlUS
J2 lECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE
DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD
DURATION
The duration of the different stages in the development of the mushshyroom mite was detelmined at 765 0 6)0 and 5iio F whieh represent temperatuns that an IIsually employed dllring the suceessiye periods ill the culture of mushrooms as will be c1iscu-ltsed under the section Life History in Mllshrool11 Houses (p 16) The two lower temperashytuns Yere maintained in temperatllre eabinlts and yere constant ithin plus or minus lhllc-fourths of a degrle The higher temperashyture was that of the laboratory room and varied hetween 720 and 800 F but as betYlen 1[)0 alHl 780 llIore than 1)0 wlcent of the time
As shmm in table 2 the duration of the dpwlopmental periods of individllal miles clilllred gnaily partiClIlarJy yhen these were reared at 55 0 F Tem]wlatuJe had (onsideraule eflect on dlYllopment the Rwragn cluml ions at 76) (j)o and 55deg F bling 12 19 and 54 days respedively The average (turnl ions of the four stages ere near the
FlGum~ 6-middotDlili1~ 01 g0I1itt1in (If TJroplll111I8 lillIIN A 101is nnd H(comshypallying clprilts or 1I1tL B Hlwi ~uckerH 01 lIull( C 111 1 (If rlllIl1le
sflme knglh bui lhl ]llnll and prolonymphal siages -pre a little shoder thnn the oilwrs Ill( hmpemture had about the same influence on all fOIIL stages lpcords of a lItJ)IJer of ltlitps Ieared at the higl1lr temperature sll()I that tIll Ilmiddotlllalel tend to dlyelop it little faster than the maltmiddots
HATCHING
PImiddotio] to the ltatching of lhe egg the shell 8hmys ilregular longishytudinal markings alternately ligliter and dadur resembling in this ]rspeet a miniature rattlpsnake wnhJlIlelon The Jlloements of the legs and cheliceme oJ the lana llla) be detected through the shell The dl(lielIal Yolk in it scraping Illotion agninst the side of the shell and tIte kgs 1I10e vigorously at int~Ials Vith fllquent pauses for rest it ((quilps certailily ~ ll1cl plobahly J or lllOle hours for the Inryt to blPilk the shlll The actual hatching occupies only 2 or 3 minutes fter the eggslwll has been rllptuletl by the chel ieerne it is jlltlwl split by moeJ1llnts of tIll legs 11nti] the l11ptmc involves progressiYlly one side one end and usually lIlost of the other side of the egg The end that is split may Je at either the posterior or anterior end of the larva
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
2 TECHNICAL BULLETIN Si9 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
during the peliod of tlw hmYest At the three tlllperntures mite dewloplllel1t llquired 12 19 mcl 54 days respectively
The adults may lile over a yea at )0 F nnd as IOllg as 209 days at 76 F The ratio of the sextsis about 42])(I((l1t male to 5H J)(lcel11 femnlts The females normally lay on 1) icrt i h eggs rlwy do not oviposit before mating but begin soon aft(gt mating and continue egg lay ing through most of the Iellla i ncler of t hei l Ii yes
At 55deg F a ne gtlHmtion ~nay begirl ccry 2 months with C011shy
seqlwllt orerlappmg of gtI1Imiddotal)ns Since thc mitls lie probably bnmght into the hOllses ith the comshy
post- control meaSulps include obtaining 111111111C 110111 stahles k(pt jn a stlnitury condition andellloing the spent compost to a distance from the mnshlool1l hOllse The propPl (Olllpostillg (Ii til( rnUlUle amI healinJ of the l)lds and fnl1ligatioll with eithpl hydl()CYflllie alid gas 01 sulfm dioxide at ppak 11(11 alP shlllrla(1 cmtroJ llleaSIllmiddot~S ~iotine nIH1 PYl(thlnm npp1iNl to Iwaling IlllIShlOol11 )((s g1ngt good nlJlts Ploll1ising results WPlp obtailH(l witlt dl(lleltcs containing diehlOlmiddotopthyl (th fllld nwthyl stli(yittpound Flalllpound flmiddotpatmPllts boiling nlpl ml lin steam llIay lll IIs((l llLtw((1l Iltt flushes of growth to kill tbe mils on OL ycry lwa tIll slllflP of tlte beds
INTRODCCTION
The mushroom mite (lImiddot()Ilwqll~ 7illtll(Ii (Oshom)) is onc of the most impoJant pesfs of (ultiulp(l I1II1SltloOlIlS ill til( Fnitp(l Rtatps [nd Canldn It flPqlHllltl)T 0((111 in PIlOlllOJs Illlml)Pls in IllWhlOOIll hOllses wl1(ll its (olltlol is lxtllnwly difIitlIlt and wlHIC it is capable of ruining thl ClOp
)lost of the hiological sndips l(I)oImiddottedill this hllllpj-in wpre mlcle nt Belt~willt Md from 19) to ifHI ilHhlSiyp1 Tht pUlpost -was to dlItrl11ine the liftgt hitory and hahits of till mit yitlt paltieulll Ieillshy~nCe to sue]) plttsts IS [ollld )( Ilf i)izd i)) )))(aI1I( to prevent the occurrence of large numbers in mushroom plantings
HISTORY AND DISTRIBUTION
TIl( mushroom mijl waS dtsclibld by OSliOlH in 1893 (21)4 from spl(inlllIs SUhlllilfCt1 hy J A LintlHl who rlportrcl it as infesting 1lI1lsltlOOlllS at TalllPsport ~Illr()lk County X Y ~incc that time it has (111((1 dama to clllt inl(d muhroolllS in nlliolts plJ(rS jll the Pnitrd ~tatl all (Hllafla
The mll~hl()()11l mill alllt1 SPPIll rtlah(1 pr(ies hilye bern known 101 H lOll tiuII as IWts ill Illills Imiddotallnrips (hpls( sjorlrool1ls fmel (11)(1 plHps wll(l( ioolt1 is ktlI s a ]lest of Illllshroollls it has not brrl1 ~o important ill IPClIIt Ylars as jllmiddotpyionsly but sporadic ontbllaks n1( j 0 )( rxwel rd
TIIOl)l((rf1l~ 7iJltnlli was on(r an extremely sHion pest in the mmltlonm-)lIWillg ditri(t of PllInsYania bu1 although It fr mitcs Ctll nlwHY bl found a spriolls iJlffstntioll has not l)(ll1 Sllll in that l(gion sillte 193J 01 U)3 This may )le largtly attlibnted to
a rhe ~tlllip~ On ~OIltrol PI IIp1I11 h) R A Glhlll lit Arlintoll 1111111 Ya ill HI)and WII(- fnltll Onr by A (~ Ih1 i~ UIH[PI tll(middot -tlll(ri~if)1I of ( A r(li~t1 ill Inn 1he work wa tIHIl5f(lTf1i to H(ltsil1p ~1l ill lDri nnd (HtnlltHd niter the authors dentll in tile (gt11middot pll 1- of 1)J hy ( A 11 lIJ1l1 1 n ll (lt)lIr~ly
Italk 1l1l1llhtIS in IHucUtlll$tmiddotl) IIQPI tn Littlat til Ciltl 1)2
3 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS
better ennitary conditions throughout til( intlllstJY but it ifgt entirely possible that Ielaxation of vigilunLe would result in a letulll of the former condition
FOOD HABITS AND INJURY
TloplwrlIs 7infgtiI(]middotj is l(eoJ(kd primarily as a p(t of I11l1s1J1()oms It has been found attncking dleese in stola~e tlnd in the laboratory lIlay be leued in great 1l111llb(IS upon a arrety of organiC lIlatclials sueh as dried fruit grain Hnd tobaeto st(ms As a gtlleral thing til( mitts prefer foods that aJe lplatiely Illoist Ol ill which molds ha n~ I)(glllt to d(wlop H is plolablp that in a wild stat(~ tll( alp plishymnrily c((lers llpOll deeHying plant lllnhlial 1ml ilel flll1gi 111(i[ liking 101 fungi and th(ir ability to sUIi( alld lpt)lotlucc in pln(es
1rltlHI J-InlknI illjlllr to 1I111IJIOlOIIiS hl the 1111111111111 IlIil( (lr()JlhtlIII~ I ill 1(1)
h(l( (lt1illl( fungi an flltifilinll glowu bring tlH1tl into lIilpet eotllshypetition it It IIWII in tltt 1I111ShlOOlll indwtIY
III til( JlIIIShlOOll1 bClIs till IIlitps flcd on th( Illnmiddotlilllll 01 span ill th( COlllpost alld oil tilt IlIUShlOOlllO (spolophols) th(1115(1es 1here thc IIlit(s ale lIot (IT II II 1lIl10 LIS th( dal1l1t IItn Ill liht and thcir pnsPllCl mny Ill (OI11j)hmiddottllv oPllook(d - rhe llantagp clOll( ro the Sjlilwn b) e(ll a fairly 1ltIY Illit( il1flstltioll is 1I0t PIY apparpllt at filSt and the I(-alltill~ lldlldioll of f 11( (Io]llliay lw ltt rillllted to iOIlIC nthC1 (middotllloe Latll hOlY(J till nhS(lll( oi lllycplid t hlll(ls ill t hl (oll1]gtostis ]lot i((abl( The dttrnie to t hc rnushluolllO (ol15ists of ilcglilar holls PHt(1I into the elpo 01 slIIIS of til lllmiddotgll lll11sltrnollls tilt 1) and oolllltilllPS till llllllplll( holll)willg Ollt of tIll slllalJ )111shy1I1S The hol(s lIlay he largl anel aI( uswlIy slimy within ot COIishytain smallel inc1iidua1 f((middotdillg pits which an slilllY at their bottollis On dose examinntioll llleh hole will be fOllncl to (ontnin mitls SOIlIlshytimes a gl(at mall) In SnlH elsts tll(I( lllay bp 11IlnltiIpds or (111
thollsallds of illiteS on enrv nlllShl(IOll1 Fiull 2 holls su(h a IllllShshyroom 1101) a Yery heaYily illistt(l bed II~m(h heds the mites lIlay
4 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiO U S DEPT 0] AGlUCULTURE
1lt1 (UI I - ~lllhlO1I1 Il1itl (TlIIiJi(IImiddot~ lilllilTn (Ill Ill illlll111111( 11111lIllltll1l (rulJl a hlail~ ill(ct] hed X ahollt 1
(OIlSIII1]( nIl t 1)(1 111((] ium n nd attaek the Compot PHl1tllt Ily 11t1l1ci Ill
it 10 a slllliliqllid IIISS of filllI~middot (ollinrinnitd pall ilIes TIH mihs ill ftld iIll 11( tlwi I ()pl iClII( 11 pillV a lid dtlllIat(]y
th(middot food IlW teria I beillg Plll1((J into the 1I10tltlt alld saII(Jwlll Mitls han bppn Sl(11 to follow till 11ly((li11 thnld- (llltillg thelll nt intelshynds and destioying lllllclt OlP thall they COIISUIII(
5 THE MUSHIWOI MITE A PESf OF CULTlYATED lIUSHHOO2IS
CONFUSION OF lIUSHROOM MITE INJURY WITH THAT FROM OTHER PESTS
Mite inj Uly to tlw spawll ]11 the lwlis at any -tagc ]- JlIlt dtnldtili-tie sinc( it Collsi-ts IIlclcl~ of the disnppealHIl(e of thc mycelium as shown in Iigme 3 A with an )C(llsional attaek 011 the COIUpOSt Furth(l shy1110l( this injury is lIsllally CC)J11POUlHhd to SOIIIC cxtPllt by tl( attacb of any of scycral other rnite 01 illsect 1W-b The only way to bl Sllll
hat pest is causing the dlll1age is to lXalllil1P snmph of til( compost frotll the heds Ilndli l a stlOllg magnifying glass Plobably the illjllly is dllc l1lainly to hatewl ill-ied or Illite plclioll1inatc ill these samples
BA
FIaHI ~- 1 ~IIII lllfWIld h 11Il 11111111110111 IIlitl B 1111111111 JIIIII
Till illjlllY to 1I111~IIOOnJS (spolop1l()Jps) by aeali(1 mites hon( is lutlll1 ehala((plistJ( eonsistillL as 111- bltn laUd (If illPlulal hoh ill tlll cap (II SHIII (aeh with sllltllpl rlalk slill pits hhill Fly 111( lI-lIillly pat sllIall tllllneis and slllingtail- lHUSPII11I1j HlIHll i11(P1 11 a ( holcs XPIIHltodls lila kp iIll~tda ( pits in tlp l1111shrooms bllt thlSP alp shallow l1llt1lXtlPlllllv Iilll t hl(jIl~dlOllt Tn (ase any dOllbt (xi tIll grO(l ShOlll lllJsi-t in the lal~eh I1ntil he aetualiy finds thl P(lst lesponsible for tIl( trouble
SYSTEMATIC POSITION
TIll blxollomy a lid llol1l(lJ(la t lire of Tylojll([jus 1illt lIeli (Os1gt) lI1(L Olll( Iplahd s)l(d( of the lalllily Acrida( (( pxplaillcc1 in ID42 by Ewing and Xcsbitt (0) The synollyllly of thest mitls hae
6 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
been very confused ltm1 that of some of them 1S still ullc(ltain The renus lYloplwgtls Hnl1 family Acaridae have formerly been known as TY1Oglyphu8 and Tyroglyphic1ae respectively
METHODS OF REARING AND OBSERVING
A number of tYlltS of cpoundlls were tried foI lmiddottflinr tlwse mit(s The mmnl type is that of Michael (18) and oth(gtrs whith consists of a rlass liug cemented to a slide and eoveled -itl a cOnr glass 11(lt1 on with paraflin or pd1oleul11 jelly Anothlr type has t boHolll of wax or plaster dispensing wit h thl slide but using a cOYer glass in the same fashion Th(sl olrel plenty of 100111 for tht IlJitts anrl do not dry out readily but tlHse altiYantagts al( offset by tIlt fad that t1I(Y are open only on one side that they ale bulky and (ifliclllt to handle (a manii(st disadvantage where hlllHllcds of indiyiduals must b( handled 111(1 examilHd) and thnt flH Illites either (at the pamflin slrtl or become co-(r(c1 with the jelly Hangin~-dlop slideS haw thl c1isshyll(hant-ng( of lwcoming too wet ith condensed moisture it((lulllt Iy drollil1 th( mitcs
TIl( nlost sati-dactolY type of ctoll was fOllnd to hE 011( of paptl held betw(en 10 m i(Ioscopl slides A lWly 3-ply tllli ng pa (lPI 111 tllt llt~t qllality is Cllt into pil(ps each sliphtly smaller than a microscope ~Iidp (about ~~l by 21~ inlil(s) In til( c(ntel of (aell of thlse pic(es a holl ahout VI inch in (lial1l(lll is pllncliP(l It is impoltant that tlw Jllll1ch bl onc dlich CII[S a hole with n chan edge otlwwise lalvac are sonwtinws able to hid( in the Iaggltd pdp( of tIll hoiI TIlt papPI ShOldc1 he of til(gt Iwst quality so that long and continued soaking will not eallSt it to (0111( apalt
In ]l1tpalil1 a c(11 thc pnl)(lis soakpcl in watc prlss(ltl bct ((n two pipels of blot ing P11)(1 to lJ1OC tXCPSS Illoi stll 1( alld pla((1 on a mielof(olX sli(lp pI(gtfcrably 011( of till thin nwndinp slitits For epps and yOllng J1Iit(s it sinplt thiekn(ss of papll is sldlkitnt hilt fol a(llilts two thidmess(s ar( n((CSSHlV with the hol(s in exact Jgislcl A small hit of 100(1 is pla(((] ill til ((II 1111 lIIitl 01 Illitls alc liftNl 111 on the point of a fin brush and put into til( (11 alJolhpl lIlielos(opt slirll is placpd on top llnd the whole is wound -ith scvshyeral tUlns of lllaY) waxt( thnad 01 clippNl togpthlr ~ith sll1all elips oj spring ha~s ~Iip of pnptl (arrying 1l1lJ1111(ls 01 othel identifishycation marks may be slipl1Plt1 heneath the thnac1 or clips
At first thin slic(s of 11(Oh nJlIOllloom (1 lISlmiddott1 as 100(1 but dri(c1 lI1usllrOOIl1 was iollnltl to hl jll-t as ac((ptablp to the mitts and fal tHsill to kclp on hallet Tht food mattIil shollld be plaCNl so that it tOllelHs the edgl of t 11( pH PPI h(I( it SUOI i 1)((011 les J1 wist a nd soft and wl(re the moistule (onttnt may he ltUlat((l By ltulatin the anlOl1nt of wthr in the papel tlH~ c(11 mIY bl ktpt it th( P10 peshyhllllliltlitv and the fond at the prop( moistllle contlnL C(lls so PIlparedllJay be handltd with a minimllm of (an and ohsllat ions lIIay bpound ma(l( rapdly and (lsily at any time from either side with e1tl)(1 the low-power billo(lIlu Ol tIll (ompoUl1( mieloseopl
By w(tti ng the pa pt1 tl1l cells W(I hpt as moist as WHS compatible 1th the saJety of the mites At times moisture condensed in the ((lis in suCh Cjuantiti(s as Iltarly to drown the mites thenin I1Pccssishytating t changl to n driPl clmiddotII In til( abstllce of any method of measlIling the humidity ill sulth small SpallS it is Pl(SLlnHll that the
7 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED USHHOOMS
cells wpre kept at as nearly a snturated humidity as possible Obsershynltiollsin cultures mushroom hous( and e1H(C tolage rOOlTls haTe led to the beJief that varintions in relative humidity proyided tlHY are within reason may not playas important It part in the life histol) of lJloplul(uS lintlle1i as they do in that of SOI~1l of tlle otller cHJJdHe At any rate these 1111t(S are capable of wlthstanc1l11g relashytingtly dryas wH a lclatiYcly Illoit conditions
Stoek eulttll(S of miteswll maintained in cpll111 milk hottles C011shytaining mushroom spawn or moldy 01 othelwise dullagld grain
Meflslllel1lel1ts of a 11 stagls of t hl mitts ypre made yithollt indlllt1ing the chelicerac as t1wy an lllpabl( of bping pitllPl lwnt down or siraightp11((l out nltlring the mpaSnnlllll1t conj(clably
ObSplnlt ions WPIl Iliadc at intpITals but tllP acts of oyiposi( ion hatching and molting usually took plan at nifht and were len ill 011 Iy a fc- casC
Tn case it beculle (lcsilahle to distinllish c(rtnin Illit(s ill II culture for fl fe hOllls t1wse i nd i idllal (j( fed on wax plllltil such [IS is 11-((1 for marking gilS ThCy ate this material leadily anI the colors of thc wax in ilH intpstine (re distinguishable through the budy wall for 24 hours 01 mol(
DESCR1PTTON OF STAGES
TUE EGG
The Cfgs of llJ1oplwYU8 linlleri (fig 4 D) are rCgularly clongate oya] (II sllilill~ whitt wl1(11 firt laid and with a smooth shell ThCy an from (ll i (() 013 111111 ill Ilng( h anraginp 012 mill nlHl from OOG to 008 111m in c1ianHlcl iprafinf OOT 111111 _Ulp 2 days of ]1Hullatioll 011( (lid o tIl( (gg b(COIlllS hyalilltbullJIIt prior to the hatching oj til( lfg till h(1 1 0 W irtgular longitudinal l1mrkings altplllallly lighter alld durkel
TUE LARA
The lana of TyroP1111g liS li IIfllli (fig + A) has on1) six l(gs the poslaquoriol pair nol applaring until alter thl firt Illolt This first instal is a (par sll1liuallpnent yhile haying a weL sticky apIWHlshyancc 111( brisths OJ s(t1l a1( not so nunllOIlS as on t h( In hr stnUlS and an allantd n shown in tl]( HulC The hntth of 111( 11 111( in (11( s(ri(s 1Il(aSIi I(d rlI1~(d l)(t((1 (l1O and 03 111111 a lid as ShOl1 in table 1 illlald 011( llllll Ill( llips IPHItiI (hlouuh to mat lIIity and til( lHnrdsof s(x kppt show that size cannot Iw taken liS an indicat ion of s(X in allY oi tlll illll1l11tilC SblflS
TAIlL~ I-LcIUIlI of the 1I1I1~ff)Oll l1Iil( (1lroJllt(tUI(~ lillillcri) ill 1(110118 Iif(-IIslorJ ~Ia[(~
Aern~e Itngth or ho(l~ 0(shy
rnle __I~~I~___~h ~xe~ Alm~ 1 1m fUl
Tlnrmiddotn~~~_ ~~ ~ _____ ~ ______ _ O11fgt lrotonymph __ 0181 1 OIfII 1~2 nlutonympIL __ bull 2middot10 j 2middotHi lIi Allult berore IIlIl1ln~ 276 312 31 a ~dull arter mllting Wt ~2i ~U
--------------------------~------
8 rECHNICAL BULLETlN 879 u S DEPT Ol~ AGItlCULlURE
D
c
lwr(r middot1-J)pIOpIIHlnl Ingw of IIIfl II liS 1i1l11l(li 1 Pi1 intII (111111) XOQ lJ (liirll illlllal (dlIlvIIYllllli) XOO C aduU XltiO D ~g XOO
9 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS
TIlE PROTONYlIPII
The nymph of the second stadium OJ protonymph is largeJ than the IalTa measuLing rom 014 to 02) 111111 in 111l~rth wlth an a(~mge of 0182 mm It is octopod and the hUI11elal allgle of the body tLC usually conspicuous giving the nymph II diamond-shaped appearance hen viewed from above 01 below It is lHa Jly (olorless at first but soon be(omes a light amber yellow The body bristles am longer in proportion anLllllore nUlllerous thall ill the larva
TIlE Hypopus
Among the ACn Jidae IhCIl is a (1IJiOllS stngC hCI((11 thC two nymphal stagli (nilId Ih( hypnpns 01 hypopial stngC TIIP hypopw is It wry different CIlatmp 110111 the octopod Ilylllph from whieh it originated beillg flattelled ith a wry haLd Ieathel) integllnlPnL hort weak legs nnd no llIolithpaJts TowaJd the posteriol end of the yltnlTal snrfnl~p thprp islI1 alI plOidpcl middotith s((1I1 (iltlrllI sllekels III sOll1e spC(i(s of acarid mites Ihe hy]lopu is lalC OJ lacking whereas in othet speeies it il WI) (()Imnon illdlPcl Sot all in(iidual- pass through thi~stnge (yell in fpelils in hidl it i (Ollllllon lnd the conshyditions gmPll1illg its ff)JJnnf ion In lIot wpll lllHlplstood Hypopi are abl( to lutTil ldYlIs( (oJl(liiion slich as lt1IYII(SS 01 a Illu(h longer time than the adult llitC a1l(l this (ollpled with the fact that they 1equirello food lIlak(s (he slag( well fiultd fOl dissemination
rhe hypopi aUacil I hplllseln hy lIHans of iPg alld sllek(I- to any 111oing objPd that (Ol)(S within glaspillg 11 it11 1 C( ilwh llS a fly dothshying of wOIklls or tool FI ips Ita ( hl(11 (en that were So (oP1ed with hY]I(l]Ji as to be ullable to fly )ollllally 1101((1 t 11( free ride (elminn(e in nl1o(I1(1 lo(ality hel till h)POIH1S dmps oil 11 l(ll1llishylions then a1( faomJjp for it- ((Yllopnlll1t (he hY]lo]llls llIoltsI)((omshying a dllItollympit (thi1dins(al) whith in 11111 bll()llllS lIll adult
ROl1e SIW(iP8 of a(lu1t llealid mites sllell as i]j8ti()~t()ll1l glll(iliplI Banks whitt alo ()((III in Illl1ShmOlll Iwels aI( -Illggish and softshybOlLi(c] ldaptllilo liing ill a sPllliliqllid nHdillll1 and unaht til ithshystand much dlsic(atil1 -Ich sp((i(s al( poorly (ftuipPNII)I making theilway to nllo(ali(iCsin till adultstag( and as would bl (x]edld hypopi a 1( ir(CI 0 Ill lld TYlopllll[IIISlilllIlli on the ut hl hand is able to withstand quil(t mnpe of dl~l(SS and ttlHwlal 11( in till allut stag( and is ratllC1 agil( alld on thl hole(11 adnpt(d to making ils way to a Il( Pllilonlllent To this s]lp(ils til( hypopial stagp i less essential HllL (11(1lt101( 11le not hwill lwen oiJselld bv tIll author
Mites han bpcn llalelt1 in qllantity ill (middotultult~ and in ~ow IllilllblS ill indiidllal ((II HlPIal tlains han J(ln Jlwintail1ltd fIOIlI tin1pound to time yet in llPlIly 10 yealsno h))(lPi han Hppealld that olld with certainty be lCillI((l (0 TIloplia[IU8 linllilri All hypopi I(alpd prowd to be thOR ()f other 81)((i(5 wmally t ho-l of ililtlio8toma hieh had somehow otttn int(J till (ult Ule
A(l1lologislsol mallY yeals failPd to (onl1(ct till hypopi with the adult aealid mites but dp(libCdt IWlll as spCcip- of t Ill genus llYPOP1l8 Aflel some time the wOIk of Jlegnin (W) and Michael (In proed thcm to be 1I1lxlla llylUphal stag( of tl1l Acalidae
bull n g Ewing in (orrls[JothlI~( ~lnt(ti thnt hp hns itllntifietl the hypoPi of this mite ill otlltlfCS
GOiJIHo-I4-middot2
10 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiD U S DEPT OF AGlUCULTURE
THE DEUTONYMPH
The nymph of th~ third stadium 01 (1ntonymph (fig 4 B) differs from the PIotoll)mph in I)(ing ~()nllwhai lalgr (on to 031 11l1ll lit length averaging 0246 111111) al1d in having tIll humeral angles of the body sOI11ehat Jess eOllspiCuous It rcseHlbls the adult very closely in appearan(p eXllpt that the sexual organs arc not fully Llevelopecl It is slightly smaller however and the hody hristles arc shorter
TUE ADULT
The adult mit( (fig 4 () is slmitranspalent and lIsually a diffuse pink-h 01 nlloish lI(ppnc1ing 011 the color of t11( food in the inshyhHti ne Thp)( iH IIHIIn 11y n150 a large l1wd ian brown or blmrnih HpoLwhieh s(ems to b( the (0I1(nt5 of the crop showing through the intlgllll1ellt alld t HJ sma Illr lateral spots lila Iking the positiolls of the oil HaeS Th( i lltlgllllll1I tis Hlnoot h and polished a lid wi t hOllt mn Ikings 1h( (ilt-lHUI11 is SIl100t hI (OIllX 01 sOIlllwhat fiatlened as yjewlcl from the side depll(ling ()11 the qllantity of material in the alimentary canal s Hll1I from a)oe til( abc1olll(n i8 rOUlllled postllioli) Ht Iongly i n(pntltl at the sides n t about the anillior t h iill and t Illll(lte allt(liolly TllPlcis usually a Iather ]lIol1lill(nt 101lgishytndilltll SlIiellS at each side jllSt within the hUIlIlItl angles but as these sulci SP(lll to 1w dul to the at t alhlllllIi of inttliol lllllseles their P)(lIllilllnlp alil~ The (pphalot hOlax is Illally conp-shappd the base llnllOPI than th( bae of Ihp nl)(lolll(n and s(pamtwl flom it b a distinct gloOl The IOStllIlHis Iath(l small and the mandiblps (dllliclltt) a 1( tooth(( as showll in fipulei ( Tlwlo is SOllle YHliashyt ion in 1he l(lnlt h of the t(l(lth an (1 ill 1he lo)ustnoHs of 1he eiwill but the 1I1il nglnlcnt of the t(let h SlIl1S to a Iy ] ittle TIlt arla ngtllIpnt of the body lIa iiS is shown in figulls 4 C and 5 B Allholllh ]lot shown ill Ih(~ figun all the hailS of thl body alld most of those of the lCgs art mil1l1tlly bipe(iinat( as sbown in 5 A The Itgs of 7yopWf1l8 lintlllli alp lathtIlnnl all(l SIlI1([(I the tarsi equal to or longer than t hl t WIgt pIpc(d i Ill joi Ilt H togl1ll(l
bull11 hOlllh the l)((t inat iOlls of thI hristles of these miles 11( minute tll(y ale middotiHiblp ((ll wit h the loY-poel hino(uliu ill liying speeimel1s 01 dr IIIOllllis IIIIlHHlnt(d SPP(illl(I1S ho(n~l tlHY 11]( YPly diflicnlt to SP H is IHtsalv to han niP fO(lIH and light xadly Iilht in ordr to ditilllIish thlllI It was thought at fils that th(v ~ere IxtllllIllv flaglll nIH1 fold(l ill UpOIl till palellt hair hell pl~(ldill tlw moullt ill Illltiillm but this StlIIIS no to I)l till caSCo ~ltmillgly UHy arC (xtPIlIlly tllin alld clll1 PIY Ilpidly IH(oll1ing Yln dlmshyelilt io dist illgllish~illf( IllOst ttalulolists hl(YoII(((I with IllJunted I1wttlia 1 it SIlIlIS posible tlw t I his elw radel might hl e uetll 0(1shylook(d ill sOllle ease even whtn pItsent
SEXLAL CIIAHACTEHS
Ill( StXpf can 11( (list illgl1ijwll lInd(middot tll( 10-])ow(1 bino(lIlar althollgh not wit It allY gnat llltaint TIH lIlale is usually slllHl1er nIHI I(ISS robllst t hnn tItl fllIlall Illinol diff(Iln((s in the shape of t Iw body (an Ill dis illllIisllld and ith just til( lIOptl light the minnte depllssioJl8 of the lOlJltiatory suckers lIlay be distinguished The
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS 11
rearing cells however may be placedlll1c1el the (ompollnd 111 iCloscope and tIle sex of mites 1lpt therpin dehllllillCcl ith little or no difficulty
llJale-TlH penis of the male is situaipd belnmiddoten the fourth pail of legs anti with its chitinous sc1erites appears lU shown ill figure 0 A
5
7 ---ie-----
13---1
14---+-1
A B
Frnnm ii-Drinil or annlomy of T(()JllIlIlI~ lilllllfrI Pnll of POifIirll hOlll
hlil1l howillg l~(tillat iUll ll (iH~rlll of Ilt(tilt half or hody hoing I 111 ll-PIIl1l r C1f lin i1 C till eilli i-tII -Iwwillg till n 1llIlgllIlllIt of (eth Till IIIUllhtlillg of Ilip lIail8 ill JJ lOIlfPOlld Willi IIIlt loy 1lly I IIII Stapitr (1) ful lllOlh(I Vci
The ma1 or eopulatnry sl1(kll~ l1( itllniNll11H on (neh -lilli of the Hill at its postriol Plld (fig 0 B)
Fmiddotmal(-ThpYlll dilwiPlllnll jitlllI( hllYlIll 11)(gt third aml fOllltlt pairs of leg (fig- U (I) Xo all1 uektls an PI(~lIIL Inl Illt(rnl yilw the raised ldllS oi Ill 1l)PIIIHtOI~ pon may Olllel1l1lPS be distinguish(middotd Oil tht llost(lo-donli 11111(( a])oc the llIlUS
J2 lECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE
DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD
DURATION
The duration of the different stages in the development of the mushshyroom mite was detelmined at 765 0 6)0 and 5iio F whieh represent temperatuns that an IIsually employed dllring the suceessiye periods ill the culture of mushrooms as will be c1iscu-ltsed under the section Life History in Mllshrool11 Houses (p 16) The two lower temperashytuns Yere maintained in temperatllre eabinlts and yere constant ithin plus or minus lhllc-fourths of a degrle The higher temperashyture was that of the laboratory room and varied hetween 720 and 800 F but as betYlen 1[)0 alHl 780 llIore than 1)0 wlcent of the time
As shmm in table 2 the duration of the dpwlopmental periods of individllal miles clilllred gnaily partiClIlarJy yhen these were reared at 55 0 F Tem]wlatuJe had (onsideraule eflect on dlYllopment the Rwragn cluml ions at 76) (j)o and 55deg F bling 12 19 and 54 days respedively The average (turnl ions of the four stages ere near the
FlGum~ 6-middotDlili1~ 01 g0I1itt1in (If TJroplll111I8 lillIIN A 101is nnd H(comshypallying clprilts or 1I1tL B Hlwi ~uckerH 01 lIull( C 111 1 (If rlllIl1le
sflme knglh bui lhl ]llnll and prolonymphal siages -pre a little shoder thnn the oilwrs Ill( hmpemture had about the same influence on all fOIIL stages lpcords of a lItJ)IJer of ltlitps Ieared at the higl1lr temperature sll()I that tIll Ilmiddotlllalel tend to dlyelop it little faster than the maltmiddots
HATCHING
PImiddotio] to the ltatching of lhe egg the shell 8hmys ilregular longishytudinal markings alternately ligliter and dadur resembling in this ]rspeet a miniature rattlpsnake wnhJlIlelon The Jlloements of the legs and cheliceme oJ the lana llla) be detected through the shell The dl(lielIal Yolk in it scraping Illotion agninst the side of the shell and tIte kgs 1I10e vigorously at int~Ials Vith fllquent pauses for rest it ((quilps certailily ~ ll1cl plobahly J or lllOle hours for the Inryt to blPilk the shlll The actual hatching occupies only 2 or 3 minutes fter the eggslwll has been rllptuletl by the chel ieerne it is jlltlwl split by moeJ1llnts of tIll legs 11nti] the l11ptmc involves progressiYlly one side one end and usually lIlost of the other side of the egg The end that is split may Je at either the posterior or anterior end of the larva
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
3 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS
better ennitary conditions throughout til( intlllstJY but it ifgt entirely possible that Ielaxation of vigilunLe would result in a letulll of the former condition
FOOD HABITS AND INJURY
TloplwrlIs 7infgtiI(]middotj is l(eoJ(kd primarily as a p(t of I11l1s1J1()oms It has been found attncking dleese in stola~e tlnd in the laboratory lIlay be leued in great 1l111llb(IS upon a arrety of organiC lIlatclials sueh as dried fruit grain Hnd tobaeto st(ms As a gtlleral thing til( mitts prefer foods that aJe lplatiely Illoist Ol ill which molds ha n~ I)(glllt to d(wlop H is plolablp that in a wild stat(~ tll( alp plishymnrily c((lers llpOll deeHying plant lllnhlial 1ml ilel flll1gi 111(i[ liking 101 fungi and th(ir ability to sUIi( alld lpt)lotlucc in pln(es
1rltlHI J-InlknI illjlllr to 1I111IJIOlOIIiS hl the 1111111111111 IlIil( (lr()JlhtlIII~ I ill 1(1)
h(l( (lt1illl( fungi an flltifilinll glowu bring tlH1tl into lIilpet eotllshypetition it It IIWII in tltt 1I111ShlOOlll indwtIY
III til( JlIIIShlOOll1 bClIs till IIlitps flcd on th( Illnmiddotlilllll 01 span ill th( COlllpost alld oil tilt IlIUShlOOlllO (spolophols) th(1115(1es 1here thc IIlit(s ale lIot (IT II II 1lIl10 LIS th( dal1l1t IItn Ill liht and thcir pnsPllCl mny Ill (OI11j)hmiddottllv oPllook(d - rhe llantagp clOll( ro the Sjlilwn b) e(ll a fairly 1ltIY Illit( il1flstltioll is 1I0t PIY apparpllt at filSt and the I(-alltill~ lldlldioll of f 11( (Io]llliay lw ltt rillllted to iOIlIC nthC1 (middotllloe Latll hOlY(J till nhS(lll( oi lllycplid t hlll(ls ill t hl (oll1]gtostis ]lot i((abl( The dttrnie to t hc rnushluolllO (ol15ists of ilcglilar holls PHt(1I into the elpo 01 slIIIS of til lllmiddotgll lll11sltrnollls tilt 1) and oolllltilllPS till llllllplll( holll)willg Ollt of tIll slllalJ )111shy1I1S The hol(s lIlay he largl anel aI( uswlIy slimy within ot COIishytain smallel inc1iidua1 f((middotdillg pits which an slilllY at their bottollis On dose examinntioll llleh hole will be fOllncl to (ontnin mitls SOIlIlshytimes a gl(at mall) In SnlH elsts tll(I( lllay bp 11IlnltiIpds or (111
thollsallds of illiteS on enrv nlllShl(IOll1 Fiull 2 holls su(h a IllllShshyroom 1101) a Yery heaYily illistt(l bed II~m(h heds the mites lIlay
4 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiO U S DEPT 0] AGlUCULTURE
1lt1 (UI I - ~lllhlO1I1 Il1itl (TlIIiJi(IImiddot~ lilllilTn (Ill Ill illlll111111( 11111lIllltll1l (rulJl a hlail~ ill(ct] hed X ahollt 1
(OIlSIII1]( nIl t 1)(1 111((] ium n nd attaek the Compot PHl1tllt Ily 11t1l1ci Ill
it 10 a slllliliqllid IIISS of filllI~middot (ollinrinnitd pall ilIes TIH mihs ill ftld iIll 11( tlwi I ()pl iClII( 11 pillV a lid dtlllIat(]y
th(middot food IlW teria I beillg Plll1((J into the 1I10tltlt alld saII(Jwlll Mitls han bppn Sl(11 to follow till 11ly((li11 thnld- (llltillg thelll nt intelshynds and destioying lllllclt OlP thall they COIISUIII(
5 THE MUSHIWOI MITE A PESf OF CULTlYATED lIUSHHOO2IS
CONFUSION OF lIUSHROOM MITE INJURY WITH THAT FROM OTHER PESTS
Mite inj Uly to tlw spawll ]11 the lwlis at any -tagc ]- JlIlt dtnldtili-tie sinc( it Collsi-ts IIlclcl~ of the disnppealHIl(e of thc mycelium as shown in Iigme 3 A with an )C(llsional attaek 011 the COIUpOSt Furth(l shy1110l( this injury is lIsllally CC)J11POUlHhd to SOIIIC cxtPllt by tl( attacb of any of scycral other rnite 01 illsect 1W-b The only way to bl Sllll
hat pest is causing the dlll1age is to lXalllil1P snmph of til( compost frotll the heds Ilndli l a stlOllg magnifying glass Plobably the illjllly is dllc l1lainly to hatewl ill-ied or Illite plclioll1inatc ill these samples
BA
FIaHI ~- 1 ~IIII lllfWIld h 11Il 11111111110111 IIlitl B 1111111111 JIIIII
Till illjlllY to 1I111~IIOOnJS (spolop1l()Jps) by aeali(1 mites hon( is lutlll1 ehala((plistJ( eonsistillL as 111- bltn laUd (If illPlulal hoh ill tlll cap (II SHIII (aeh with sllltllpl rlalk slill pits hhill Fly 111( lI-lIillly pat sllIall tllllneis and slllingtail- lHUSPII11I1j HlIHll i11(P1 11 a ( holcs XPIIHltodls lila kp iIll~tda ( pits in tlp l1111shrooms bllt thlSP alp shallow l1llt1lXtlPlllllv Iilll t hl(jIl~dlOllt Tn (ase any dOllbt (xi tIll grO(l ShOlll lllJsi-t in the lal~eh I1ntil he aetualiy finds thl P(lst lesponsible for tIl( trouble
SYSTEMATIC POSITION
TIll blxollomy a lid llol1l(lJ(la t lire of Tylojll([jus 1illt lIeli (Os1gt) lI1(L Olll( Iplahd s)l(d( of the lalllily Acrida( (( pxplaillcc1 in ID42 by Ewing and Xcsbitt (0) The synollyllly of thest mitls hae
6 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
been very confused ltm1 that of some of them 1S still ullc(ltain The renus lYloplwgtls Hnl1 family Acaridae have formerly been known as TY1Oglyphu8 and Tyroglyphic1ae respectively
METHODS OF REARING AND OBSERVING
A number of tYlltS of cpoundlls were tried foI lmiddottflinr tlwse mit(s The mmnl type is that of Michael (18) and oth(gtrs whith consists of a rlass liug cemented to a slide and eoveled -itl a cOnr glass 11(lt1 on with paraflin or pd1oleul11 jelly Anothlr type has t boHolll of wax or plaster dispensing wit h thl slide but using a cOYer glass in the same fashion Th(sl olrel plenty of 100111 for tht IlJitts anrl do not dry out readily but tlHse altiYantagts al( offset by tIlt fad that t1I(Y are open only on one side that they ale bulky and (ifliclllt to handle (a manii(st disadvantage where hlllHllcds of indiyiduals must b( handled 111(1 examilHd) and thnt flH Illites either (at the pamflin slrtl or become co-(r(c1 with the jelly Hangin~-dlop slideS haw thl c1isshyll(hant-ng( of lwcoming too wet ith condensed moisture it((lulllt Iy drollil1 th( mitcs
TIl( nlost sati-dactolY type of ctoll was fOllnd to hE 011( of paptl held betw(en 10 m i(Ioscopl slides A lWly 3-ply tllli ng pa (lPI 111 tllt llt~t qllality is Cllt into pil(ps each sliphtly smaller than a microscope ~Iidp (about ~~l by 21~ inlil(s) In til( c(ntel of (aell of thlse pic(es a holl ahout VI inch in (lial1l(lll is pllncliP(l It is impoltant that tlw Jllll1ch bl onc dlich CII[S a hole with n chan edge otlwwise lalvac are sonwtinws able to hid( in the Iaggltd pdp( of tIll hoiI TIlt papPI ShOldc1 he of til(gt Iwst quality so that long and continued soaking will not eallSt it to (0111( apalt
In ]l1tpalil1 a c(11 thc pnl)(lis soakpcl in watc prlss(ltl bct ((n two pipels of blot ing P11)(1 to lJ1OC tXCPSS Illoi stll 1( alld pla((1 on a mielof(olX sli(lp pI(gtfcrably 011( of till thin nwndinp slitits For epps and yOllng J1Iit(s it sinplt thiekn(ss of papll is sldlkitnt hilt fol a(llilts two thidmess(s ar( n((CSSHlV with the hol(s in exact Jgislcl A small hit of 100(1 is pla(((] ill til ((II 1111 lIIitl 01 Illitls alc liftNl 111 on the point of a fin brush and put into til( (11 alJolhpl lIlielos(opt slirll is placpd on top llnd the whole is wound -ith scvshyeral tUlns of lllaY) waxt( thnad 01 clippNl togpthlr ~ith sll1all elips oj spring ha~s ~Iip of pnptl (arrying 1l1lJ1111(ls 01 othel identifishycation marks may be slipl1Plt1 heneath the thnac1 or clips
At first thin slic(s of 11(Oh nJlIOllloom (1 lISlmiddott1 as 100(1 but dri(c1 lI1usllrOOIl1 was iollnltl to hl jll-t as ac((ptablp to the mitts and fal tHsill to kclp on hallet Tht food mattIil shollld be plaCNl so that it tOllelHs the edgl of t 11( pH PPI h(I( it SUOI i 1)((011 les J1 wist a nd soft and wl(re the moistule (onttnt may he ltUlat((l By ltulatin the anlOl1nt of wthr in the papel tlH~ c(11 mIY bl ktpt it th( P10 peshyhllllliltlitv and the fond at the prop( moistllle contlnL C(lls so PIlparedllJay be handltd with a minimllm of (an and ohsllat ions lIIay bpound ma(l( rapdly and (lsily at any time from either side with e1tl)(1 the low-power billo(lIlu Ol tIll (ompoUl1( mieloseopl
By w(tti ng the pa pt1 tl1l cells W(I hpt as moist as WHS compatible 1th the saJety of the mites At times moisture condensed in the ((lis in suCh Cjuantiti(s as Iltarly to drown the mites thenin I1Pccssishytating t changl to n driPl clmiddotII In til( abstllce of any method of measlIling the humidity ill sulth small SpallS it is Pl(SLlnHll that the
7 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED USHHOOMS
cells wpre kept at as nearly a snturated humidity as possible Obsershynltiollsin cultures mushroom hous( and e1H(C tolage rOOlTls haTe led to the beJief that varintions in relative humidity proyided tlHY are within reason may not playas important It part in the life histol) of lJloplul(uS lintlle1i as they do in that of SOI~1l of tlle otller cHJJdHe At any rate these 1111t(S are capable of wlthstanc1l11g relashytingtly dryas wH a lclatiYcly Illoit conditions
Stoek eulttll(S of miteswll maintained in cpll111 milk hottles C011shytaining mushroom spawn or moldy 01 othelwise dullagld grain
Meflslllel1lel1ts of a 11 stagls of t hl mitts ypre made yithollt indlllt1ing the chelicerac as t1wy an lllpabl( of bping pitllPl lwnt down or siraightp11((l out nltlring the mpaSnnlllll1t conj(clably
ObSplnlt ions WPIl Iliadc at intpITals but tllP acts of oyiposi( ion hatching and molting usually took plan at nifht and were len ill 011 Iy a fc- casC
Tn case it beculle (lcsilahle to distinllish c(rtnin Illit(s ill II culture for fl fe hOllls t1wse i nd i idllal (j( fed on wax plllltil such [IS is 11-((1 for marking gilS ThCy ate this material leadily anI the colors of thc wax in ilH intpstine (re distinguishable through the budy wall for 24 hours 01 mol(
DESCR1PTTON OF STAGES
TUE EGG
The Cfgs of llJ1oplwYU8 linlleri (fig 4 D) are rCgularly clongate oya] (II sllilill~ whitt wl1(11 firt laid and with a smooth shell ThCy an from (ll i (() 013 111111 ill Ilng( h anraginp 012 mill nlHl from OOG to 008 111m in c1ianHlcl iprafinf OOT 111111 _Ulp 2 days of ]1Hullatioll 011( (lid o tIl( (gg b(COIlllS hyalilltbullJIIt prior to the hatching oj til( lfg till h(1 1 0 W irtgular longitudinal l1mrkings altplllallly lighter alld durkel
TUE LARA
The lana of TyroP1111g liS li IIfllli (fig + A) has on1) six l(gs the poslaquoriol pair nol applaring until alter thl firt Illolt This first instal is a (par sll1liuallpnent yhile haying a weL sticky apIWHlshyancc 111( brisths OJ s(t1l a1( not so nunllOIlS as on t h( In hr stnUlS and an allantd n shown in tl]( HulC The hntth of 111( 11 111( in (11( s(ri(s 1Il(aSIi I(d rlI1~(d l)(t((1 (l1O and 03 111111 a lid as ShOl1 in table 1 illlald 011( llllll Ill( llips IPHItiI (hlouuh to mat lIIity and til( lHnrdsof s(x kppt show that size cannot Iw taken liS an indicat ion of s(X in allY oi tlll illll1l11tilC SblflS
TAIlL~ I-LcIUIlI of the 1I1I1~ff)Oll l1Iil( (1lroJllt(tUI(~ lillillcri) ill 1(110118 Iif(-IIslorJ ~Ia[(~
Aern~e Itngth or ho(l~ 0(shy
rnle __I~~I~___~h ~xe~ Alm~ 1 1m fUl
Tlnrmiddotn~~~_ ~~ ~ _____ ~ ______ _ O11fgt lrotonymph __ 0181 1 OIfII 1~2 nlutonympIL __ bull 2middot10 j 2middotHi lIi Allult berore IIlIl1ln~ 276 312 31 a ~dull arter mllting Wt ~2i ~U
--------------------------~------
8 rECHNICAL BULLETlN 879 u S DEPT Ol~ AGItlCULlURE
D
c
lwr(r middot1-J)pIOpIIHlnl Ingw of IIIfl II liS 1i1l11l(li 1 Pi1 intII (111111) XOQ lJ (liirll illlllal (dlIlvIIYllllli) XOO C aduU XltiO D ~g XOO
9 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS
TIlE PROTONYlIPII
The nymph of the second stadium OJ protonymph is largeJ than the IalTa measuLing rom 014 to 02) 111111 in 111l~rth wlth an a(~mge of 0182 mm It is octopod and the hUI11elal allgle of the body tLC usually conspicuous giving the nymph II diamond-shaped appearance hen viewed from above 01 below It is lHa Jly (olorless at first but soon be(omes a light amber yellow The body bristles am longer in proportion anLllllore nUlllerous thall ill the larva
TIlE Hypopus
Among the ACn Jidae IhCIl is a (1IJiOllS stngC hCI((11 thC two nymphal stagli (nilId Ih( hypnpns 01 hypopial stngC TIIP hypopw is It wry different CIlatmp 110111 the octopod Ilylllph from whieh it originated beillg flattelled ith a wry haLd Ieathel) integllnlPnL hort weak legs nnd no llIolithpaJts TowaJd the posteriol end of the yltnlTal snrfnl~p thprp islI1 alI plOidpcl middotith s((1I1 (iltlrllI sllekels III sOll1e spC(i(s of acarid mites Ihe hy]lopu is lalC OJ lacking whereas in othet speeies it il WI) (()Imnon illdlPcl Sot all in(iidual- pass through thi~stnge (yell in fpelils in hidl it i (Ollllllon lnd the conshyditions gmPll1illg its ff)JJnnf ion In lIot wpll lllHlplstood Hypopi are abl( to lutTil ldYlIs( (oJl(liiion slich as lt1IYII(SS 01 a Illu(h longer time than the adult llitC a1l(l this (ollpled with the fact that they 1equirello food lIlak(s (he slag( well fiultd fOl dissemination
rhe hypopi aUacil I hplllseln hy lIHans of iPg alld sllek(I- to any 111oing objPd that (Ol)(S within glaspillg 11 it11 1 C( ilwh llS a fly dothshying of wOIklls or tool FI ips Ita ( hl(11 (en that were So (oP1ed with hY]I(l]Ji as to be ullable to fly )ollllally 1101((1 t 11( free ride (elminn(e in nl1o(I1(1 lo(ality hel till h)POIH1S dmps oil 11 l(ll1llishylions then a1( faomJjp for it- ((Yllopnlll1t (he hY]lo]llls llIoltsI)((omshying a dllItollympit (thi1dins(al) whith in 11111 bll()llllS lIll adult
ROl1e SIW(iP8 of a(lu1t llealid mites sllell as i]j8ti()~t()ll1l glll(iliplI Banks whitt alo ()((III in Illl1ShmOlll Iwels aI( -Illggish and softshybOlLi(c] ldaptllilo liing ill a sPllliliqllid nHdillll1 and unaht til ithshystand much dlsic(atil1 -Ich sp((i(s al( poorly (ftuipPNII)I making theilway to nllo(ali(iCsin till adultstag( and as would bl (x]edld hypopi a 1( ir(CI 0 Ill lld TYlopllll[IIISlilllIlli on the ut hl hand is able to withstand quil(t mnpe of dl~l(SS and ttlHwlal 11( in till allut stag( and is ratllC1 agil( alld on thl hole(11 adnpt(d to making ils way to a Il( Pllilonlllent To this s]lp(ils til( hypopial stagp i less essential HllL (11(1lt101( 11le not hwill lwen oiJselld bv tIll author
Mites han bpcn llalelt1 in qllantity ill (middotultult~ and in ~ow IllilllblS ill indiidllal ((II HlPIal tlains han J(ln Jlwintail1ltd fIOIlI tin1pound to time yet in llPlIly 10 yealsno h))(lPi han Hppealld that olld with certainty be lCillI((l (0 TIloplia[IU8 linllilri All hypopi I(alpd prowd to be thOR ()f other 81)((i(5 wmally t ho-l of ililtlio8toma hieh had somehow otttn int(J till (ult Ule
A(l1lologislsol mallY yeals failPd to (onl1(ct till hypopi with the adult aealid mites but dp(libCdt IWlll as spCcip- of t Ill genus llYPOP1l8 Aflel some time the wOIk of Jlegnin (W) and Michael (In proed thcm to be 1I1lxlla llylUphal stag( of tl1l Acalidae
bull n g Ewing in (orrls[JothlI~( ~lnt(ti thnt hp hns itllntifietl the hypoPi of this mite ill otlltlfCS
GOiJIHo-I4-middot2
10 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiD U S DEPT OF AGlUCULTURE
THE DEUTONYMPH
The nymph of th~ third stadium 01 (1ntonymph (fig 4 B) differs from the PIotoll)mph in I)(ing ~()nllwhai lalgr (on to 031 11l1ll lit length averaging 0246 111111) al1d in having tIll humeral angles of the body sOI11ehat Jess eOllspiCuous It rcseHlbls the adult very closely in appearan(p eXllpt that the sexual organs arc not fully Llevelopecl It is slightly smaller however and the hody hristles arc shorter
TUE ADULT
The adult mit( (fig 4 () is slmitranspalent and lIsually a diffuse pink-h 01 nlloish lI(ppnc1ing 011 the color of t11( food in the inshyhHti ne Thp)( iH IIHIIn 11y n150 a large l1wd ian brown or blmrnih HpoLwhieh s(ems to b( the (0I1(nt5 of the crop showing through the intlgllll1ellt alld t HJ sma Illr lateral spots lila Iking the positiolls of the oil HaeS Th( i lltlgllllll1I tis Hlnoot h and polished a lid wi t hOllt mn Ikings 1h( (ilt-lHUI11 is SIl100t hI (OIllX 01 sOIlllwhat fiatlened as yjewlcl from the side depll(ling ()11 the qllantity of material in the alimentary canal s Hll1I from a)oe til( abc1olll(n i8 rOUlllled postllioli) Ht Iongly i n(pntltl at the sides n t about the anillior t h iill and t Illll(lte allt(liolly TllPlcis usually a Iather ]lIol1lill(nt 101lgishytndilltll SlIiellS at each side jllSt within the hUIlIlItl angles but as these sulci SP(lll to 1w dul to the at t alhlllllIi of inttliol lllllseles their P)(lIllilllnlp alil~ The (pphalot hOlax is Illally conp-shappd the base llnllOPI than th( bae of Ihp nl)(lolll(n and s(pamtwl flom it b a distinct gloOl The IOStllIlHis Iath(l small and the mandiblps (dllliclltt) a 1( tooth(( as showll in fipulei ( Tlwlo is SOllle YHliashyt ion in 1he l(lnlt h of the t(l(lth an (1 ill 1he lo)ustnoHs of 1he eiwill but the 1I1il nglnlcnt of the t(let h SlIl1S to a Iy ] ittle TIlt arla ngtllIpnt of the body lIa iiS is shown in figulls 4 C and 5 B Allholllh ]lot shown ill Ih(~ figun all the hailS of thl body alld most of those of the lCgs art mil1l1tlly bipe(iinat( as sbown in 5 A The Itgs of 7yopWf1l8 lintlllli alp lathtIlnnl all(l SIlI1([(I the tarsi equal to or longer than t hl t WIgt pIpc(d i Ill joi Ilt H togl1ll(l
bull11 hOlllh the l)((t inat iOlls of thI hristles of these miles 11( minute tll(y ale middotiHiblp ((ll wit h the loY-poel hino(uliu ill liying speeimel1s 01 dr IIIOllllis IIIIlHHlnt(d SPP(illl(I1S ho(n~l tlHY 11]( YPly diflicnlt to SP H is IHtsalv to han niP fO(lIH and light xadly Iilht in ordr to ditilllIish thlllI It was thought at fils that th(v ~ere IxtllllIllv flaglll nIH1 fold(l ill UpOIl till palellt hair hell pl~(ldill tlw moullt ill Illltiillm but this StlIIIS no to I)l till caSCo ~ltmillgly UHy arC (xtPIlIlly tllin alld clll1 PIY Ilpidly IH(oll1ing Yln dlmshyelilt io dist illgllish~illf( IllOst ttalulolists hl(YoII(((I with IllJunted I1wttlia 1 it SIlIlIS posible tlw t I his elw radel might hl e uetll 0(1shylook(d ill sOllle ease even whtn pItsent
SEXLAL CIIAHACTEHS
Ill( StXpf can 11( (list illgl1ijwll lInd(middot tll( 10-])ow(1 bino(lIlar althollgh not wit It allY gnat llltaint TIH lIlale is usually slllHl1er nIHI I(ISS robllst t hnn tItl fllIlall Illinol diff(Iln((s in the shape of t Iw body (an Ill dis illllIisllld and ith just til( lIOptl light the minnte depllssioJl8 of the lOlJltiatory suckers lIlay be distinguished The
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS 11
rearing cells however may be placedlll1c1el the (ompollnd 111 iCloscope and tIle sex of mites 1lpt therpin dehllllillCcl ith little or no difficulty
llJale-TlH penis of the male is situaipd belnmiddoten the fourth pail of legs anti with its chitinous sc1erites appears lU shown ill figure 0 A
5
7 ---ie-----
13---1
14---+-1
A B
Frnnm ii-Drinil or annlomy of T(()JllIlIlI~ lilllllfrI Pnll of POifIirll hOlll
hlil1l howillg l~(tillat iUll ll (iH~rlll of Ilt(tilt half or hody hoing I 111 ll-PIIl1l r C1f lin i1 C till eilli i-tII -Iwwillg till n 1llIlgllIlllIt of (eth Till IIIUllhtlillg of Ilip lIail8 ill JJ lOIlfPOlld Willi IIIlt loy 1lly I IIII Stapitr (1) ful lllOlh(I Vci
The ma1 or eopulatnry sl1(kll~ l1( itllniNll11H on (neh -lilli of the Hill at its postriol Plld (fig 0 B)
Fmiddotmal(-ThpYlll dilwiPlllnll jitlllI( hllYlIll 11)(gt third aml fOllltlt pairs of leg (fig- U (I) Xo all1 uektls an PI(~lIIL Inl Illt(rnl yilw the raised ldllS oi Ill 1l)PIIIHtOI~ pon may Olllel1l1lPS be distinguish(middotd Oil tht llost(lo-donli 11111(( a])oc the llIlUS
J2 lECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE
DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD
DURATION
The duration of the different stages in the development of the mushshyroom mite was detelmined at 765 0 6)0 and 5iio F whieh represent temperatuns that an IIsually employed dllring the suceessiye periods ill the culture of mushrooms as will be c1iscu-ltsed under the section Life History in Mllshrool11 Houses (p 16) The two lower temperashytuns Yere maintained in temperatllre eabinlts and yere constant ithin plus or minus lhllc-fourths of a degrle The higher temperashyture was that of the laboratory room and varied hetween 720 and 800 F but as betYlen 1[)0 alHl 780 llIore than 1)0 wlcent of the time
As shmm in table 2 the duration of the dpwlopmental periods of individllal miles clilllred gnaily partiClIlarJy yhen these were reared at 55 0 F Tem]wlatuJe had (onsideraule eflect on dlYllopment the Rwragn cluml ions at 76) (j)o and 55deg F bling 12 19 and 54 days respedively The average (turnl ions of the four stages ere near the
FlGum~ 6-middotDlili1~ 01 g0I1itt1in (If TJroplll111I8 lillIIN A 101is nnd H(comshypallying clprilts or 1I1tL B Hlwi ~uckerH 01 lIull( C 111 1 (If rlllIl1le
sflme knglh bui lhl ]llnll and prolonymphal siages -pre a little shoder thnn the oilwrs Ill( hmpemture had about the same influence on all fOIIL stages lpcords of a lItJ)IJer of ltlitps Ieared at the higl1lr temperature sll()I that tIll Ilmiddotlllalel tend to dlyelop it little faster than the maltmiddots
HATCHING
PImiddotio] to the ltatching of lhe egg the shell 8hmys ilregular longishytudinal markings alternately ligliter and dadur resembling in this ]rspeet a miniature rattlpsnake wnhJlIlelon The Jlloements of the legs and cheliceme oJ the lana llla) be detected through the shell The dl(lielIal Yolk in it scraping Illotion agninst the side of the shell and tIte kgs 1I10e vigorously at int~Ials Vith fllquent pauses for rest it ((quilps certailily ~ ll1cl plobahly J or lllOle hours for the Inryt to blPilk the shlll The actual hatching occupies only 2 or 3 minutes fter the eggslwll has been rllptuletl by the chel ieerne it is jlltlwl split by moeJ1llnts of tIll legs 11nti] the l11ptmc involves progressiYlly one side one end and usually lIlost of the other side of the egg The end that is split may Je at either the posterior or anterior end of the larva
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
4 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiO U S DEPT 0] AGlUCULTURE
1lt1 (UI I - ~lllhlO1I1 Il1itl (TlIIiJi(IImiddot~ lilllilTn (Ill Ill illlll111111( 11111lIllltll1l (rulJl a hlail~ ill(ct] hed X ahollt 1
(OIlSIII1]( nIl t 1)(1 111((] ium n nd attaek the Compot PHl1tllt Ily 11t1l1ci Ill
it 10 a slllliliqllid IIISS of filllI~middot (ollinrinnitd pall ilIes TIH mihs ill ftld iIll 11( tlwi I ()pl iClII( 11 pillV a lid dtlllIat(]y
th(middot food IlW teria I beillg Plll1((J into the 1I10tltlt alld saII(Jwlll Mitls han bppn Sl(11 to follow till 11ly((li11 thnld- (llltillg thelll nt intelshynds and destioying lllllclt OlP thall they COIISUIII(
5 THE MUSHIWOI MITE A PESf OF CULTlYATED lIUSHHOO2IS
CONFUSION OF lIUSHROOM MITE INJURY WITH THAT FROM OTHER PESTS
Mite inj Uly to tlw spawll ]11 the lwlis at any -tagc ]- JlIlt dtnldtili-tie sinc( it Collsi-ts IIlclcl~ of the disnppealHIl(e of thc mycelium as shown in Iigme 3 A with an )C(llsional attaek 011 the COIUpOSt Furth(l shy1110l( this injury is lIsllally CC)J11POUlHhd to SOIIIC cxtPllt by tl( attacb of any of scycral other rnite 01 illsect 1W-b The only way to bl Sllll
hat pest is causing the dlll1age is to lXalllil1P snmph of til( compost frotll the heds Ilndli l a stlOllg magnifying glass Plobably the illjllly is dllc l1lainly to hatewl ill-ied or Illite plclioll1inatc ill these samples
BA
FIaHI ~- 1 ~IIII lllfWIld h 11Il 11111111110111 IIlitl B 1111111111 JIIIII
Till illjlllY to 1I111~IIOOnJS (spolop1l()Jps) by aeali(1 mites hon( is lutlll1 ehala((plistJ( eonsistillL as 111- bltn laUd (If illPlulal hoh ill tlll cap (II SHIII (aeh with sllltllpl rlalk slill pits hhill Fly 111( lI-lIillly pat sllIall tllllneis and slllingtail- lHUSPII11I1j HlIHll i11(P1 11 a ( holcs XPIIHltodls lila kp iIll~tda ( pits in tlp l1111shrooms bllt thlSP alp shallow l1llt1lXtlPlllllv Iilll t hl(jIl~dlOllt Tn (ase any dOllbt (xi tIll grO(l ShOlll lllJsi-t in the lal~eh I1ntil he aetualiy finds thl P(lst lesponsible for tIl( trouble
SYSTEMATIC POSITION
TIll blxollomy a lid llol1l(lJ(la t lire of Tylojll([jus 1illt lIeli (Os1gt) lI1(L Olll( Iplahd s)l(d( of the lalllily Acrida( (( pxplaillcc1 in ID42 by Ewing and Xcsbitt (0) The synollyllly of thest mitls hae
6 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
been very confused ltm1 that of some of them 1S still ullc(ltain The renus lYloplwgtls Hnl1 family Acaridae have formerly been known as TY1Oglyphu8 and Tyroglyphic1ae respectively
METHODS OF REARING AND OBSERVING
A number of tYlltS of cpoundlls were tried foI lmiddottflinr tlwse mit(s The mmnl type is that of Michael (18) and oth(gtrs whith consists of a rlass liug cemented to a slide and eoveled -itl a cOnr glass 11(lt1 on with paraflin or pd1oleul11 jelly Anothlr type has t boHolll of wax or plaster dispensing wit h thl slide but using a cOYer glass in the same fashion Th(sl olrel plenty of 100111 for tht IlJitts anrl do not dry out readily but tlHse altiYantagts al( offset by tIlt fad that t1I(Y are open only on one side that they ale bulky and (ifliclllt to handle (a manii(st disadvantage where hlllHllcds of indiyiduals must b( handled 111(1 examilHd) and thnt flH Illites either (at the pamflin slrtl or become co-(r(c1 with the jelly Hangin~-dlop slideS haw thl c1isshyll(hant-ng( of lwcoming too wet ith condensed moisture it((lulllt Iy drollil1 th( mitcs
TIl( nlost sati-dactolY type of ctoll was fOllnd to hE 011( of paptl held betw(en 10 m i(Ioscopl slides A lWly 3-ply tllli ng pa (lPI 111 tllt llt~t qllality is Cllt into pil(ps each sliphtly smaller than a microscope ~Iidp (about ~~l by 21~ inlil(s) In til( c(ntel of (aell of thlse pic(es a holl ahout VI inch in (lial1l(lll is pllncliP(l It is impoltant that tlw Jllll1ch bl onc dlich CII[S a hole with n chan edge otlwwise lalvac are sonwtinws able to hid( in the Iaggltd pdp( of tIll hoiI TIlt papPI ShOldc1 he of til(gt Iwst quality so that long and continued soaking will not eallSt it to (0111( apalt
In ]l1tpalil1 a c(11 thc pnl)(lis soakpcl in watc prlss(ltl bct ((n two pipels of blot ing P11)(1 to lJ1OC tXCPSS Illoi stll 1( alld pla((1 on a mielof(olX sli(lp pI(gtfcrably 011( of till thin nwndinp slitits For epps and yOllng J1Iit(s it sinplt thiekn(ss of papll is sldlkitnt hilt fol a(llilts two thidmess(s ar( n((CSSHlV with the hol(s in exact Jgislcl A small hit of 100(1 is pla(((] ill til ((II 1111 lIIitl 01 Illitls alc liftNl 111 on the point of a fin brush and put into til( (11 alJolhpl lIlielos(opt slirll is placpd on top llnd the whole is wound -ith scvshyeral tUlns of lllaY) waxt( thnad 01 clippNl togpthlr ~ith sll1all elips oj spring ha~s ~Iip of pnptl (arrying 1l1lJ1111(ls 01 othel identifishycation marks may be slipl1Plt1 heneath the thnac1 or clips
At first thin slic(s of 11(Oh nJlIOllloom (1 lISlmiddott1 as 100(1 but dri(c1 lI1usllrOOIl1 was iollnltl to hl jll-t as ac((ptablp to the mitts and fal tHsill to kclp on hallet Tht food mattIil shollld be plaCNl so that it tOllelHs the edgl of t 11( pH PPI h(I( it SUOI i 1)((011 les J1 wist a nd soft and wl(re the moistule (onttnt may he ltUlat((l By ltulatin the anlOl1nt of wthr in the papel tlH~ c(11 mIY bl ktpt it th( P10 peshyhllllliltlitv and the fond at the prop( moistllle contlnL C(lls so PIlparedllJay be handltd with a minimllm of (an and ohsllat ions lIIay bpound ma(l( rapdly and (lsily at any time from either side with e1tl)(1 the low-power billo(lIlu Ol tIll (ompoUl1( mieloseopl
By w(tti ng the pa pt1 tl1l cells W(I hpt as moist as WHS compatible 1th the saJety of the mites At times moisture condensed in the ((lis in suCh Cjuantiti(s as Iltarly to drown the mites thenin I1Pccssishytating t changl to n driPl clmiddotII In til( abstllce of any method of measlIling the humidity ill sulth small SpallS it is Pl(SLlnHll that the
7 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED USHHOOMS
cells wpre kept at as nearly a snturated humidity as possible Obsershynltiollsin cultures mushroom hous( and e1H(C tolage rOOlTls haTe led to the beJief that varintions in relative humidity proyided tlHY are within reason may not playas important It part in the life histol) of lJloplul(uS lintlle1i as they do in that of SOI~1l of tlle otller cHJJdHe At any rate these 1111t(S are capable of wlthstanc1l11g relashytingtly dryas wH a lclatiYcly Illoit conditions
Stoek eulttll(S of miteswll maintained in cpll111 milk hottles C011shytaining mushroom spawn or moldy 01 othelwise dullagld grain
Meflslllel1lel1ts of a 11 stagls of t hl mitts ypre made yithollt indlllt1ing the chelicerac as t1wy an lllpabl( of bping pitllPl lwnt down or siraightp11((l out nltlring the mpaSnnlllll1t conj(clably
ObSplnlt ions WPIl Iliadc at intpITals but tllP acts of oyiposi( ion hatching and molting usually took plan at nifht and were len ill 011 Iy a fc- casC
Tn case it beculle (lcsilahle to distinllish c(rtnin Illit(s ill II culture for fl fe hOllls t1wse i nd i idllal (j( fed on wax plllltil such [IS is 11-((1 for marking gilS ThCy ate this material leadily anI the colors of thc wax in ilH intpstine (re distinguishable through the budy wall for 24 hours 01 mol(
DESCR1PTTON OF STAGES
TUE EGG
The Cfgs of llJ1oplwYU8 linlleri (fig 4 D) are rCgularly clongate oya] (II sllilill~ whitt wl1(11 firt laid and with a smooth shell ThCy an from (ll i (() 013 111111 ill Ilng( h anraginp 012 mill nlHl from OOG to 008 111m in c1ianHlcl iprafinf OOT 111111 _Ulp 2 days of ]1Hullatioll 011( (lid o tIl( (gg b(COIlllS hyalilltbullJIIt prior to the hatching oj til( lfg till h(1 1 0 W irtgular longitudinal l1mrkings altplllallly lighter alld durkel
TUE LARA
The lana of TyroP1111g liS li IIfllli (fig + A) has on1) six l(gs the poslaquoriol pair nol applaring until alter thl firt Illolt This first instal is a (par sll1liuallpnent yhile haying a weL sticky apIWHlshyancc 111( brisths OJ s(t1l a1( not so nunllOIlS as on t h( In hr stnUlS and an allantd n shown in tl]( HulC The hntth of 111( 11 111( in (11( s(ri(s 1Il(aSIi I(d rlI1~(d l)(t((1 (l1O and 03 111111 a lid as ShOl1 in table 1 illlald 011( llllll Ill( llips IPHItiI (hlouuh to mat lIIity and til( lHnrdsof s(x kppt show that size cannot Iw taken liS an indicat ion of s(X in allY oi tlll illll1l11tilC SblflS
TAIlL~ I-LcIUIlI of the 1I1I1~ff)Oll l1Iil( (1lroJllt(tUI(~ lillillcri) ill 1(110118 Iif(-IIslorJ ~Ia[(~
Aern~e Itngth or ho(l~ 0(shy
rnle __I~~I~___~h ~xe~ Alm~ 1 1m fUl
Tlnrmiddotn~~~_ ~~ ~ _____ ~ ______ _ O11fgt lrotonymph __ 0181 1 OIfII 1~2 nlutonympIL __ bull 2middot10 j 2middotHi lIi Allult berore IIlIl1ln~ 276 312 31 a ~dull arter mllting Wt ~2i ~U
--------------------------~------
8 rECHNICAL BULLETlN 879 u S DEPT Ol~ AGItlCULlURE
D
c
lwr(r middot1-J)pIOpIIHlnl Ingw of IIIfl II liS 1i1l11l(li 1 Pi1 intII (111111) XOQ lJ (liirll illlllal (dlIlvIIYllllli) XOO C aduU XltiO D ~g XOO
9 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS
TIlE PROTONYlIPII
The nymph of the second stadium OJ protonymph is largeJ than the IalTa measuLing rom 014 to 02) 111111 in 111l~rth wlth an a(~mge of 0182 mm It is octopod and the hUI11elal allgle of the body tLC usually conspicuous giving the nymph II diamond-shaped appearance hen viewed from above 01 below It is lHa Jly (olorless at first but soon be(omes a light amber yellow The body bristles am longer in proportion anLllllore nUlllerous thall ill the larva
TIlE Hypopus
Among the ACn Jidae IhCIl is a (1IJiOllS stngC hCI((11 thC two nymphal stagli (nilId Ih( hypnpns 01 hypopial stngC TIIP hypopw is It wry different CIlatmp 110111 the octopod Ilylllph from whieh it originated beillg flattelled ith a wry haLd Ieathel) integllnlPnL hort weak legs nnd no llIolithpaJts TowaJd the posteriol end of the yltnlTal snrfnl~p thprp islI1 alI plOidpcl middotith s((1I1 (iltlrllI sllekels III sOll1e spC(i(s of acarid mites Ihe hy]lopu is lalC OJ lacking whereas in othet speeies it il WI) (()Imnon illdlPcl Sot all in(iidual- pass through thi~stnge (yell in fpelils in hidl it i (Ollllllon lnd the conshyditions gmPll1illg its ff)JJnnf ion In lIot wpll lllHlplstood Hypopi are abl( to lutTil ldYlIs( (oJl(liiion slich as lt1IYII(SS 01 a Illu(h longer time than the adult llitC a1l(l this (ollpled with the fact that they 1equirello food lIlak(s (he slag( well fiultd fOl dissemination
rhe hypopi aUacil I hplllseln hy lIHans of iPg alld sllek(I- to any 111oing objPd that (Ol)(S within glaspillg 11 it11 1 C( ilwh llS a fly dothshying of wOIklls or tool FI ips Ita ( hl(11 (en that were So (oP1ed with hY]I(l]Ji as to be ullable to fly )ollllally 1101((1 t 11( free ride (elminn(e in nl1o(I1(1 lo(ality hel till h)POIH1S dmps oil 11 l(ll1llishylions then a1( faomJjp for it- ((Yllopnlll1t (he hY]lo]llls llIoltsI)((omshying a dllItollympit (thi1dins(al) whith in 11111 bll()llllS lIll adult
ROl1e SIW(iP8 of a(lu1t llealid mites sllell as i]j8ti()~t()ll1l glll(iliplI Banks whitt alo ()((III in Illl1ShmOlll Iwels aI( -Illggish and softshybOlLi(c] ldaptllilo liing ill a sPllliliqllid nHdillll1 and unaht til ithshystand much dlsic(atil1 -Ich sp((i(s al( poorly (ftuipPNII)I making theilway to nllo(ali(iCsin till adultstag( and as would bl (x]edld hypopi a 1( ir(CI 0 Ill lld TYlopllll[IIISlilllIlli on the ut hl hand is able to withstand quil(t mnpe of dl~l(SS and ttlHwlal 11( in till allut stag( and is ratllC1 agil( alld on thl hole(11 adnpt(d to making ils way to a Il( Pllilonlllent To this s]lp(ils til( hypopial stagp i less essential HllL (11(1lt101( 11le not hwill lwen oiJselld bv tIll author
Mites han bpcn llalelt1 in qllantity ill (middotultult~ and in ~ow IllilllblS ill indiidllal ((II HlPIal tlains han J(ln Jlwintail1ltd fIOIlI tin1pound to time yet in llPlIly 10 yealsno h))(lPi han Hppealld that olld with certainty be lCillI((l (0 TIloplia[IU8 linllilri All hypopi I(alpd prowd to be thOR ()f other 81)((i(5 wmally t ho-l of ililtlio8toma hieh had somehow otttn int(J till (ult Ule
A(l1lologislsol mallY yeals failPd to (onl1(ct till hypopi with the adult aealid mites but dp(libCdt IWlll as spCcip- of t Ill genus llYPOP1l8 Aflel some time the wOIk of Jlegnin (W) and Michael (In proed thcm to be 1I1lxlla llylUphal stag( of tl1l Acalidae
bull n g Ewing in (orrls[JothlI~( ~lnt(ti thnt hp hns itllntifietl the hypoPi of this mite ill otlltlfCS
GOiJIHo-I4-middot2
10 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiD U S DEPT OF AGlUCULTURE
THE DEUTONYMPH
The nymph of th~ third stadium 01 (1ntonymph (fig 4 B) differs from the PIotoll)mph in I)(ing ~()nllwhai lalgr (on to 031 11l1ll lit length averaging 0246 111111) al1d in having tIll humeral angles of the body sOI11ehat Jess eOllspiCuous It rcseHlbls the adult very closely in appearan(p eXllpt that the sexual organs arc not fully Llevelopecl It is slightly smaller however and the hody hristles arc shorter
TUE ADULT
The adult mit( (fig 4 () is slmitranspalent and lIsually a diffuse pink-h 01 nlloish lI(ppnc1ing 011 the color of t11( food in the inshyhHti ne Thp)( iH IIHIIn 11y n150 a large l1wd ian brown or blmrnih HpoLwhieh s(ems to b( the (0I1(nt5 of the crop showing through the intlgllll1ellt alld t HJ sma Illr lateral spots lila Iking the positiolls of the oil HaeS Th( i lltlgllllll1I tis Hlnoot h and polished a lid wi t hOllt mn Ikings 1h( (ilt-lHUI11 is SIl100t hI (OIllX 01 sOIlllwhat fiatlened as yjewlcl from the side depll(ling ()11 the qllantity of material in the alimentary canal s Hll1I from a)oe til( abc1olll(n i8 rOUlllled postllioli) Ht Iongly i n(pntltl at the sides n t about the anillior t h iill and t Illll(lte allt(liolly TllPlcis usually a Iather ]lIol1lill(nt 101lgishytndilltll SlIiellS at each side jllSt within the hUIlIlItl angles but as these sulci SP(lll to 1w dul to the at t alhlllllIi of inttliol lllllseles their P)(lIllilllnlp alil~ The (pphalot hOlax is Illally conp-shappd the base llnllOPI than th( bae of Ihp nl)(lolll(n and s(pamtwl flom it b a distinct gloOl The IOStllIlHis Iath(l small and the mandiblps (dllliclltt) a 1( tooth(( as showll in fipulei ( Tlwlo is SOllle YHliashyt ion in 1he l(lnlt h of the t(l(lth an (1 ill 1he lo)ustnoHs of 1he eiwill but the 1I1il nglnlcnt of the t(let h SlIl1S to a Iy ] ittle TIlt arla ngtllIpnt of the body lIa iiS is shown in figulls 4 C and 5 B Allholllh ]lot shown ill Ih(~ figun all the hailS of thl body alld most of those of the lCgs art mil1l1tlly bipe(iinat( as sbown in 5 A The Itgs of 7yopWf1l8 lintlllli alp lathtIlnnl all(l SIlI1([(I the tarsi equal to or longer than t hl t WIgt pIpc(d i Ill joi Ilt H togl1ll(l
bull11 hOlllh the l)((t inat iOlls of thI hristles of these miles 11( minute tll(y ale middotiHiblp ((ll wit h the loY-poel hino(uliu ill liying speeimel1s 01 dr IIIOllllis IIIIlHHlnt(d SPP(illl(I1S ho(n~l tlHY 11]( YPly diflicnlt to SP H is IHtsalv to han niP fO(lIH and light xadly Iilht in ordr to ditilllIish thlllI It was thought at fils that th(v ~ere IxtllllIllv flaglll nIH1 fold(l ill UpOIl till palellt hair hell pl~(ldill tlw moullt ill Illltiillm but this StlIIIS no to I)l till caSCo ~ltmillgly UHy arC (xtPIlIlly tllin alld clll1 PIY Ilpidly IH(oll1ing Yln dlmshyelilt io dist illgllish~illf( IllOst ttalulolists hl(YoII(((I with IllJunted I1wttlia 1 it SIlIlIS posible tlw t I his elw radel might hl e uetll 0(1shylook(d ill sOllle ease even whtn pItsent
SEXLAL CIIAHACTEHS
Ill( StXpf can 11( (list illgl1ijwll lInd(middot tll( 10-])ow(1 bino(lIlar althollgh not wit It allY gnat llltaint TIH lIlale is usually slllHl1er nIHI I(ISS robllst t hnn tItl fllIlall Illinol diff(Iln((s in the shape of t Iw body (an Ill dis illllIisllld and ith just til( lIOptl light the minnte depllssioJl8 of the lOlJltiatory suckers lIlay be distinguished The
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS 11
rearing cells however may be placedlll1c1el the (ompollnd 111 iCloscope and tIle sex of mites 1lpt therpin dehllllillCcl ith little or no difficulty
llJale-TlH penis of the male is situaipd belnmiddoten the fourth pail of legs anti with its chitinous sc1erites appears lU shown ill figure 0 A
5
7 ---ie-----
13---1
14---+-1
A B
Frnnm ii-Drinil or annlomy of T(()JllIlIlI~ lilllllfrI Pnll of POifIirll hOlll
hlil1l howillg l~(tillat iUll ll (iH~rlll of Ilt(tilt half or hody hoing I 111 ll-PIIl1l r C1f lin i1 C till eilli i-tII -Iwwillg till n 1llIlgllIlllIt of (eth Till IIIUllhtlillg of Ilip lIail8 ill JJ lOIlfPOlld Willi IIIlt loy 1lly I IIII Stapitr (1) ful lllOlh(I Vci
The ma1 or eopulatnry sl1(kll~ l1( itllniNll11H on (neh -lilli of the Hill at its postriol Plld (fig 0 B)
Fmiddotmal(-ThpYlll dilwiPlllnll jitlllI( hllYlIll 11)(gt third aml fOllltlt pairs of leg (fig- U (I) Xo all1 uektls an PI(~lIIL Inl Illt(rnl yilw the raised ldllS oi Ill 1l)PIIIHtOI~ pon may Olllel1l1lPS be distinguish(middotd Oil tht llost(lo-donli 11111(( a])oc the llIlUS
J2 lECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE
DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD
DURATION
The duration of the different stages in the development of the mushshyroom mite was detelmined at 765 0 6)0 and 5iio F whieh represent temperatuns that an IIsually employed dllring the suceessiye periods ill the culture of mushrooms as will be c1iscu-ltsed under the section Life History in Mllshrool11 Houses (p 16) The two lower temperashytuns Yere maintained in temperatllre eabinlts and yere constant ithin plus or minus lhllc-fourths of a degrle The higher temperashyture was that of the laboratory room and varied hetween 720 and 800 F but as betYlen 1[)0 alHl 780 llIore than 1)0 wlcent of the time
As shmm in table 2 the duration of the dpwlopmental periods of individllal miles clilllred gnaily partiClIlarJy yhen these were reared at 55 0 F Tem]wlatuJe had (onsideraule eflect on dlYllopment the Rwragn cluml ions at 76) (j)o and 55deg F bling 12 19 and 54 days respedively The average (turnl ions of the four stages ere near the
FlGum~ 6-middotDlili1~ 01 g0I1itt1in (If TJroplll111I8 lillIIN A 101is nnd H(comshypallying clprilts or 1I1tL B Hlwi ~uckerH 01 lIull( C 111 1 (If rlllIl1le
sflme knglh bui lhl ]llnll and prolonymphal siages -pre a little shoder thnn the oilwrs Ill( hmpemture had about the same influence on all fOIIL stages lpcords of a lItJ)IJer of ltlitps Ieared at the higl1lr temperature sll()I that tIll Ilmiddotlllalel tend to dlyelop it little faster than the maltmiddots
HATCHING
PImiddotio] to the ltatching of lhe egg the shell 8hmys ilregular longishytudinal markings alternately ligliter and dadur resembling in this ]rspeet a miniature rattlpsnake wnhJlIlelon The Jlloements of the legs and cheliceme oJ the lana llla) be detected through the shell The dl(lielIal Yolk in it scraping Illotion agninst the side of the shell and tIte kgs 1I10e vigorously at int~Ials Vith fllquent pauses for rest it ((quilps certailily ~ ll1cl plobahly J or lllOle hours for the Inryt to blPilk the shlll The actual hatching occupies only 2 or 3 minutes fter the eggslwll has been rllptuletl by the chel ieerne it is jlltlwl split by moeJ1llnts of tIll legs 11nti] the l11ptmc involves progressiYlly one side one end and usually lIlost of the other side of the egg The end that is split may Je at either the posterior or anterior end of the larva
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
5 THE MUSHIWOI MITE A PESf OF CULTlYATED lIUSHHOO2IS
CONFUSION OF lIUSHROOM MITE INJURY WITH THAT FROM OTHER PESTS
Mite inj Uly to tlw spawll ]11 the lwlis at any -tagc ]- JlIlt dtnldtili-tie sinc( it Collsi-ts IIlclcl~ of the disnppealHIl(e of thc mycelium as shown in Iigme 3 A with an )C(llsional attaek 011 the COIUpOSt Furth(l shy1110l( this injury is lIsllally CC)J11POUlHhd to SOIIIC cxtPllt by tl( attacb of any of scycral other rnite 01 illsect 1W-b The only way to bl Sllll
hat pest is causing the dlll1age is to lXalllil1P snmph of til( compost frotll the heds Ilndli l a stlOllg magnifying glass Plobably the illjllly is dllc l1lainly to hatewl ill-ied or Illite plclioll1inatc ill these samples
BA
FIaHI ~- 1 ~IIII lllfWIld h 11Il 11111111110111 IIlitl B 1111111111 JIIIII
Till illjlllY to 1I111~IIOOnJS (spolop1l()Jps) by aeali(1 mites hon( is lutlll1 ehala((plistJ( eonsistillL as 111- bltn laUd (If illPlulal hoh ill tlll cap (II SHIII (aeh with sllltllpl rlalk slill pits hhill Fly 111( lI-lIillly pat sllIall tllllneis and slllingtail- lHUSPII11I1j HlIHll i11(P1 11 a ( holcs XPIIHltodls lila kp iIll~tda ( pits in tlp l1111shrooms bllt thlSP alp shallow l1llt1lXtlPlllllv Iilll t hl(jIl~dlOllt Tn (ase any dOllbt (xi tIll grO(l ShOlll lllJsi-t in the lal~eh I1ntil he aetualiy finds thl P(lst lesponsible for tIl( trouble
SYSTEMATIC POSITION
TIll blxollomy a lid llol1l(lJ(la t lire of Tylojll([jus 1illt lIeli (Os1gt) lI1(L Olll( Iplahd s)l(d( of the lalllily Acrida( (( pxplaillcc1 in ID42 by Ewing and Xcsbitt (0) The synollyllly of thest mitls hae
6 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
been very confused ltm1 that of some of them 1S still ullc(ltain The renus lYloplwgtls Hnl1 family Acaridae have formerly been known as TY1Oglyphu8 and Tyroglyphic1ae respectively
METHODS OF REARING AND OBSERVING
A number of tYlltS of cpoundlls were tried foI lmiddottflinr tlwse mit(s The mmnl type is that of Michael (18) and oth(gtrs whith consists of a rlass liug cemented to a slide and eoveled -itl a cOnr glass 11(lt1 on with paraflin or pd1oleul11 jelly Anothlr type has t boHolll of wax or plaster dispensing wit h thl slide but using a cOYer glass in the same fashion Th(sl olrel plenty of 100111 for tht IlJitts anrl do not dry out readily but tlHse altiYantagts al( offset by tIlt fad that t1I(Y are open only on one side that they ale bulky and (ifliclllt to handle (a manii(st disadvantage where hlllHllcds of indiyiduals must b( handled 111(1 examilHd) and thnt flH Illites either (at the pamflin slrtl or become co-(r(c1 with the jelly Hangin~-dlop slideS haw thl c1isshyll(hant-ng( of lwcoming too wet ith condensed moisture it((lulllt Iy drollil1 th( mitcs
TIl( nlost sati-dactolY type of ctoll was fOllnd to hE 011( of paptl held betw(en 10 m i(Ioscopl slides A lWly 3-ply tllli ng pa (lPI 111 tllt llt~t qllality is Cllt into pil(ps each sliphtly smaller than a microscope ~Iidp (about ~~l by 21~ inlil(s) In til( c(ntel of (aell of thlse pic(es a holl ahout VI inch in (lial1l(lll is pllncliP(l It is impoltant that tlw Jllll1ch bl onc dlich CII[S a hole with n chan edge otlwwise lalvac are sonwtinws able to hid( in the Iaggltd pdp( of tIll hoiI TIlt papPI ShOldc1 he of til(gt Iwst quality so that long and continued soaking will not eallSt it to (0111( apalt
In ]l1tpalil1 a c(11 thc pnl)(lis soakpcl in watc prlss(ltl bct ((n two pipels of blot ing P11)(1 to lJ1OC tXCPSS Illoi stll 1( alld pla((1 on a mielof(olX sli(lp pI(gtfcrably 011( of till thin nwndinp slitits For epps and yOllng J1Iit(s it sinplt thiekn(ss of papll is sldlkitnt hilt fol a(llilts two thidmess(s ar( n((CSSHlV with the hol(s in exact Jgislcl A small hit of 100(1 is pla(((] ill til ((II 1111 lIIitl 01 Illitls alc liftNl 111 on the point of a fin brush and put into til( (11 alJolhpl lIlielos(opt slirll is placpd on top llnd the whole is wound -ith scvshyeral tUlns of lllaY) waxt( thnad 01 clippNl togpthlr ~ith sll1all elips oj spring ha~s ~Iip of pnptl (arrying 1l1lJ1111(ls 01 othel identifishycation marks may be slipl1Plt1 heneath the thnac1 or clips
At first thin slic(s of 11(Oh nJlIOllloom (1 lISlmiddott1 as 100(1 but dri(c1 lI1usllrOOIl1 was iollnltl to hl jll-t as ac((ptablp to the mitts and fal tHsill to kclp on hallet Tht food mattIil shollld be plaCNl so that it tOllelHs the edgl of t 11( pH PPI h(I( it SUOI i 1)((011 les J1 wist a nd soft and wl(re the moistule (onttnt may he ltUlat((l By ltulatin the anlOl1nt of wthr in the papel tlH~ c(11 mIY bl ktpt it th( P10 peshyhllllliltlitv and the fond at the prop( moistllle contlnL C(lls so PIlparedllJay be handltd with a minimllm of (an and ohsllat ions lIIay bpound ma(l( rapdly and (lsily at any time from either side with e1tl)(1 the low-power billo(lIlu Ol tIll (ompoUl1( mieloseopl
By w(tti ng the pa pt1 tl1l cells W(I hpt as moist as WHS compatible 1th the saJety of the mites At times moisture condensed in the ((lis in suCh Cjuantiti(s as Iltarly to drown the mites thenin I1Pccssishytating t changl to n driPl clmiddotII In til( abstllce of any method of measlIling the humidity ill sulth small SpallS it is Pl(SLlnHll that the
7 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED USHHOOMS
cells wpre kept at as nearly a snturated humidity as possible Obsershynltiollsin cultures mushroom hous( and e1H(C tolage rOOlTls haTe led to the beJief that varintions in relative humidity proyided tlHY are within reason may not playas important It part in the life histol) of lJloplul(uS lintlle1i as they do in that of SOI~1l of tlle otller cHJJdHe At any rate these 1111t(S are capable of wlthstanc1l11g relashytingtly dryas wH a lclatiYcly Illoit conditions
Stoek eulttll(S of miteswll maintained in cpll111 milk hottles C011shytaining mushroom spawn or moldy 01 othelwise dullagld grain
Meflslllel1lel1ts of a 11 stagls of t hl mitts ypre made yithollt indlllt1ing the chelicerac as t1wy an lllpabl( of bping pitllPl lwnt down or siraightp11((l out nltlring the mpaSnnlllll1t conj(clably
ObSplnlt ions WPIl Iliadc at intpITals but tllP acts of oyiposi( ion hatching and molting usually took plan at nifht and were len ill 011 Iy a fc- casC
Tn case it beculle (lcsilahle to distinllish c(rtnin Illit(s ill II culture for fl fe hOllls t1wse i nd i idllal (j( fed on wax plllltil such [IS is 11-((1 for marking gilS ThCy ate this material leadily anI the colors of thc wax in ilH intpstine (re distinguishable through the budy wall for 24 hours 01 mol(
DESCR1PTTON OF STAGES
TUE EGG
The Cfgs of llJ1oplwYU8 linlleri (fig 4 D) are rCgularly clongate oya] (II sllilill~ whitt wl1(11 firt laid and with a smooth shell ThCy an from (ll i (() 013 111111 ill Ilng( h anraginp 012 mill nlHl from OOG to 008 111m in c1ianHlcl iprafinf OOT 111111 _Ulp 2 days of ]1Hullatioll 011( (lid o tIl( (gg b(COIlllS hyalilltbullJIIt prior to the hatching oj til( lfg till h(1 1 0 W irtgular longitudinal l1mrkings altplllallly lighter alld durkel
TUE LARA
The lana of TyroP1111g liS li IIfllli (fig + A) has on1) six l(gs the poslaquoriol pair nol applaring until alter thl firt Illolt This first instal is a (par sll1liuallpnent yhile haying a weL sticky apIWHlshyancc 111( brisths OJ s(t1l a1( not so nunllOIlS as on t h( In hr stnUlS and an allantd n shown in tl]( HulC The hntth of 111( 11 111( in (11( s(ri(s 1Il(aSIi I(d rlI1~(d l)(t((1 (l1O and 03 111111 a lid as ShOl1 in table 1 illlald 011( llllll Ill( llips IPHItiI (hlouuh to mat lIIity and til( lHnrdsof s(x kppt show that size cannot Iw taken liS an indicat ion of s(X in allY oi tlll illll1l11tilC SblflS
TAIlL~ I-LcIUIlI of the 1I1I1~ff)Oll l1Iil( (1lroJllt(tUI(~ lillillcri) ill 1(110118 Iif(-IIslorJ ~Ia[(~
Aern~e Itngth or ho(l~ 0(shy
rnle __I~~I~___~h ~xe~ Alm~ 1 1m fUl
Tlnrmiddotn~~~_ ~~ ~ _____ ~ ______ _ O11fgt lrotonymph __ 0181 1 OIfII 1~2 nlutonympIL __ bull 2middot10 j 2middotHi lIi Allult berore IIlIl1ln~ 276 312 31 a ~dull arter mllting Wt ~2i ~U
--------------------------~------
8 rECHNICAL BULLETlN 879 u S DEPT Ol~ AGItlCULlURE
D
c
lwr(r middot1-J)pIOpIIHlnl Ingw of IIIfl II liS 1i1l11l(li 1 Pi1 intII (111111) XOQ lJ (liirll illlllal (dlIlvIIYllllli) XOO C aduU XltiO D ~g XOO
9 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS
TIlE PROTONYlIPII
The nymph of the second stadium OJ protonymph is largeJ than the IalTa measuLing rom 014 to 02) 111111 in 111l~rth wlth an a(~mge of 0182 mm It is octopod and the hUI11elal allgle of the body tLC usually conspicuous giving the nymph II diamond-shaped appearance hen viewed from above 01 below It is lHa Jly (olorless at first but soon be(omes a light amber yellow The body bristles am longer in proportion anLllllore nUlllerous thall ill the larva
TIlE Hypopus
Among the ACn Jidae IhCIl is a (1IJiOllS stngC hCI((11 thC two nymphal stagli (nilId Ih( hypnpns 01 hypopial stngC TIIP hypopw is It wry different CIlatmp 110111 the octopod Ilylllph from whieh it originated beillg flattelled ith a wry haLd Ieathel) integllnlPnL hort weak legs nnd no llIolithpaJts TowaJd the posteriol end of the yltnlTal snrfnl~p thprp islI1 alI plOidpcl middotith s((1I1 (iltlrllI sllekels III sOll1e spC(i(s of acarid mites Ihe hy]lopu is lalC OJ lacking whereas in othet speeies it il WI) (()Imnon illdlPcl Sot all in(iidual- pass through thi~stnge (yell in fpelils in hidl it i (Ollllllon lnd the conshyditions gmPll1illg its ff)JJnnf ion In lIot wpll lllHlplstood Hypopi are abl( to lutTil ldYlIs( (oJl(liiion slich as lt1IYII(SS 01 a Illu(h longer time than the adult llitC a1l(l this (ollpled with the fact that they 1equirello food lIlak(s (he slag( well fiultd fOl dissemination
rhe hypopi aUacil I hplllseln hy lIHans of iPg alld sllek(I- to any 111oing objPd that (Ol)(S within glaspillg 11 it11 1 C( ilwh llS a fly dothshying of wOIklls or tool FI ips Ita ( hl(11 (en that were So (oP1ed with hY]I(l]Ji as to be ullable to fly )ollllally 1101((1 t 11( free ride (elminn(e in nl1o(I1(1 lo(ality hel till h)POIH1S dmps oil 11 l(ll1llishylions then a1( faomJjp for it- ((Yllopnlll1t (he hY]lo]llls llIoltsI)((omshying a dllItollympit (thi1dins(al) whith in 11111 bll()llllS lIll adult
ROl1e SIW(iP8 of a(lu1t llealid mites sllell as i]j8ti()~t()ll1l glll(iliplI Banks whitt alo ()((III in Illl1ShmOlll Iwels aI( -Illggish and softshybOlLi(c] ldaptllilo liing ill a sPllliliqllid nHdillll1 and unaht til ithshystand much dlsic(atil1 -Ich sp((i(s al( poorly (ftuipPNII)I making theilway to nllo(ali(iCsin till adultstag( and as would bl (x]edld hypopi a 1( ir(CI 0 Ill lld TYlopllll[IIISlilllIlli on the ut hl hand is able to withstand quil(t mnpe of dl~l(SS and ttlHwlal 11( in till allut stag( and is ratllC1 agil( alld on thl hole(11 adnpt(d to making ils way to a Il( Pllilonlllent To this s]lp(ils til( hypopial stagp i less essential HllL (11(1lt101( 11le not hwill lwen oiJselld bv tIll author
Mites han bpcn llalelt1 in qllantity ill (middotultult~ and in ~ow IllilllblS ill indiidllal ((II HlPIal tlains han J(ln Jlwintail1ltd fIOIlI tin1pound to time yet in llPlIly 10 yealsno h))(lPi han Hppealld that olld with certainty be lCillI((l (0 TIloplia[IU8 linllilri All hypopi I(alpd prowd to be thOR ()f other 81)((i(5 wmally t ho-l of ililtlio8toma hieh had somehow otttn int(J till (ult Ule
A(l1lologislsol mallY yeals failPd to (onl1(ct till hypopi with the adult aealid mites but dp(libCdt IWlll as spCcip- of t Ill genus llYPOP1l8 Aflel some time the wOIk of Jlegnin (W) and Michael (In proed thcm to be 1I1lxlla llylUphal stag( of tl1l Acalidae
bull n g Ewing in (orrls[JothlI~( ~lnt(ti thnt hp hns itllntifietl the hypoPi of this mite ill otlltlfCS
GOiJIHo-I4-middot2
10 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiD U S DEPT OF AGlUCULTURE
THE DEUTONYMPH
The nymph of th~ third stadium 01 (1ntonymph (fig 4 B) differs from the PIotoll)mph in I)(ing ~()nllwhai lalgr (on to 031 11l1ll lit length averaging 0246 111111) al1d in having tIll humeral angles of the body sOI11ehat Jess eOllspiCuous It rcseHlbls the adult very closely in appearan(p eXllpt that the sexual organs arc not fully Llevelopecl It is slightly smaller however and the hody hristles arc shorter
TUE ADULT
The adult mit( (fig 4 () is slmitranspalent and lIsually a diffuse pink-h 01 nlloish lI(ppnc1ing 011 the color of t11( food in the inshyhHti ne Thp)( iH IIHIIn 11y n150 a large l1wd ian brown or blmrnih HpoLwhieh s(ems to b( the (0I1(nt5 of the crop showing through the intlgllll1ellt alld t HJ sma Illr lateral spots lila Iking the positiolls of the oil HaeS Th( i lltlgllllll1I tis Hlnoot h and polished a lid wi t hOllt mn Ikings 1h( (ilt-lHUI11 is SIl100t hI (OIllX 01 sOIlllwhat fiatlened as yjewlcl from the side depll(ling ()11 the qllantity of material in the alimentary canal s Hll1I from a)oe til( abc1olll(n i8 rOUlllled postllioli) Ht Iongly i n(pntltl at the sides n t about the anillior t h iill and t Illll(lte allt(liolly TllPlcis usually a Iather ]lIol1lill(nt 101lgishytndilltll SlIiellS at each side jllSt within the hUIlIlItl angles but as these sulci SP(lll to 1w dul to the at t alhlllllIi of inttliol lllllseles their P)(lIllilllnlp alil~ The (pphalot hOlax is Illally conp-shappd the base llnllOPI than th( bae of Ihp nl)(lolll(n and s(pamtwl flom it b a distinct gloOl The IOStllIlHis Iath(l small and the mandiblps (dllliclltt) a 1( tooth(( as showll in fipulei ( Tlwlo is SOllle YHliashyt ion in 1he l(lnlt h of the t(l(lth an (1 ill 1he lo)ustnoHs of 1he eiwill but the 1I1il nglnlcnt of the t(let h SlIl1S to a Iy ] ittle TIlt arla ngtllIpnt of the body lIa iiS is shown in figulls 4 C and 5 B Allholllh ]lot shown ill Ih(~ figun all the hailS of thl body alld most of those of the lCgs art mil1l1tlly bipe(iinat( as sbown in 5 A The Itgs of 7yopWf1l8 lintlllli alp lathtIlnnl all(l SIlI1([(I the tarsi equal to or longer than t hl t WIgt pIpc(d i Ill joi Ilt H togl1ll(l
bull11 hOlllh the l)((t inat iOlls of thI hristles of these miles 11( minute tll(y ale middotiHiblp ((ll wit h the loY-poel hino(uliu ill liying speeimel1s 01 dr IIIOllllis IIIIlHHlnt(d SPP(illl(I1S ho(n~l tlHY 11]( YPly diflicnlt to SP H is IHtsalv to han niP fO(lIH and light xadly Iilht in ordr to ditilllIish thlllI It was thought at fils that th(v ~ere IxtllllIllv flaglll nIH1 fold(l ill UpOIl till palellt hair hell pl~(ldill tlw moullt ill Illltiillm but this StlIIIS no to I)l till caSCo ~ltmillgly UHy arC (xtPIlIlly tllin alld clll1 PIY Ilpidly IH(oll1ing Yln dlmshyelilt io dist illgllish~illf( IllOst ttalulolists hl(YoII(((I with IllJunted I1wttlia 1 it SIlIlIS posible tlw t I his elw radel might hl e uetll 0(1shylook(d ill sOllle ease even whtn pItsent
SEXLAL CIIAHACTEHS
Ill( StXpf can 11( (list illgl1ijwll lInd(middot tll( 10-])ow(1 bino(lIlar althollgh not wit It allY gnat llltaint TIH lIlale is usually slllHl1er nIHI I(ISS robllst t hnn tItl fllIlall Illinol diff(Iln((s in the shape of t Iw body (an Ill dis illllIisllld and ith just til( lIOptl light the minnte depllssioJl8 of the lOlJltiatory suckers lIlay be distinguished The
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS 11
rearing cells however may be placedlll1c1el the (ompollnd 111 iCloscope and tIle sex of mites 1lpt therpin dehllllillCcl ith little or no difficulty
llJale-TlH penis of the male is situaipd belnmiddoten the fourth pail of legs anti with its chitinous sc1erites appears lU shown ill figure 0 A
5
7 ---ie-----
13---1
14---+-1
A B
Frnnm ii-Drinil or annlomy of T(()JllIlIlI~ lilllllfrI Pnll of POifIirll hOlll
hlil1l howillg l~(tillat iUll ll (iH~rlll of Ilt(tilt half or hody hoing I 111 ll-PIIl1l r C1f lin i1 C till eilli i-tII -Iwwillg till n 1llIlgllIlllIt of (eth Till IIIUllhtlillg of Ilip lIail8 ill JJ lOIlfPOlld Willi IIIlt loy 1lly I IIII Stapitr (1) ful lllOlh(I Vci
The ma1 or eopulatnry sl1(kll~ l1( itllniNll11H on (neh -lilli of the Hill at its postriol Plld (fig 0 B)
Fmiddotmal(-ThpYlll dilwiPlllnll jitlllI( hllYlIll 11)(gt third aml fOllltlt pairs of leg (fig- U (I) Xo all1 uektls an PI(~lIIL Inl Illt(rnl yilw the raised ldllS oi Ill 1l)PIIIHtOI~ pon may Olllel1l1lPS be distinguish(middotd Oil tht llost(lo-donli 11111(( a])oc the llIlUS
J2 lECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE
DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD
DURATION
The duration of the different stages in the development of the mushshyroom mite was detelmined at 765 0 6)0 and 5iio F whieh represent temperatuns that an IIsually employed dllring the suceessiye periods ill the culture of mushrooms as will be c1iscu-ltsed under the section Life History in Mllshrool11 Houses (p 16) The two lower temperashytuns Yere maintained in temperatllre eabinlts and yere constant ithin plus or minus lhllc-fourths of a degrle The higher temperashyture was that of the laboratory room and varied hetween 720 and 800 F but as betYlen 1[)0 alHl 780 llIore than 1)0 wlcent of the time
As shmm in table 2 the duration of the dpwlopmental periods of individllal miles clilllred gnaily partiClIlarJy yhen these were reared at 55 0 F Tem]wlatuJe had (onsideraule eflect on dlYllopment the Rwragn cluml ions at 76) (j)o and 55deg F bling 12 19 and 54 days respedively The average (turnl ions of the four stages ere near the
FlGum~ 6-middotDlili1~ 01 g0I1itt1in (If TJroplll111I8 lillIIN A 101is nnd H(comshypallying clprilts or 1I1tL B Hlwi ~uckerH 01 lIull( C 111 1 (If rlllIl1le
sflme knglh bui lhl ]llnll and prolonymphal siages -pre a little shoder thnn the oilwrs Ill( hmpemture had about the same influence on all fOIIL stages lpcords of a lItJ)IJer of ltlitps Ieared at the higl1lr temperature sll()I that tIll Ilmiddotlllalel tend to dlyelop it little faster than the maltmiddots
HATCHING
PImiddotio] to the ltatching of lhe egg the shell 8hmys ilregular longishytudinal markings alternately ligliter and dadur resembling in this ]rspeet a miniature rattlpsnake wnhJlIlelon The Jlloements of the legs and cheliceme oJ the lana llla) be detected through the shell The dl(lielIal Yolk in it scraping Illotion agninst the side of the shell and tIte kgs 1I10e vigorously at int~Ials Vith fllquent pauses for rest it ((quilps certailily ~ ll1cl plobahly J or lllOle hours for the Inryt to blPilk the shlll The actual hatching occupies only 2 or 3 minutes fter the eggslwll has been rllptuletl by the chel ieerne it is jlltlwl split by moeJ1llnts of tIll legs 11nti] the l11ptmc involves progressiYlly one side one end and usually lIlost of the other side of the egg The end that is split may Je at either the posterior or anterior end of the larva
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
6 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
been very confused ltm1 that of some of them 1S still ullc(ltain The renus lYloplwgtls Hnl1 family Acaridae have formerly been known as TY1Oglyphu8 and Tyroglyphic1ae respectively
METHODS OF REARING AND OBSERVING
A number of tYlltS of cpoundlls were tried foI lmiddottflinr tlwse mit(s The mmnl type is that of Michael (18) and oth(gtrs whith consists of a rlass liug cemented to a slide and eoveled -itl a cOnr glass 11(lt1 on with paraflin or pd1oleul11 jelly Anothlr type has t boHolll of wax or plaster dispensing wit h thl slide but using a cOYer glass in the same fashion Th(sl olrel plenty of 100111 for tht IlJitts anrl do not dry out readily but tlHse altiYantagts al( offset by tIlt fad that t1I(Y are open only on one side that they ale bulky and (ifliclllt to handle (a manii(st disadvantage where hlllHllcds of indiyiduals must b( handled 111(1 examilHd) and thnt flH Illites either (at the pamflin slrtl or become co-(r(c1 with the jelly Hangin~-dlop slideS haw thl c1isshyll(hant-ng( of lwcoming too wet ith condensed moisture it((lulllt Iy drollil1 th( mitcs
TIl( nlost sati-dactolY type of ctoll was fOllnd to hE 011( of paptl held betw(en 10 m i(Ioscopl slides A lWly 3-ply tllli ng pa (lPI 111 tllt llt~t qllality is Cllt into pil(ps each sliphtly smaller than a microscope ~Iidp (about ~~l by 21~ inlil(s) In til( c(ntel of (aell of thlse pic(es a holl ahout VI inch in (lial1l(lll is pllncliP(l It is impoltant that tlw Jllll1ch bl onc dlich CII[S a hole with n chan edge otlwwise lalvac are sonwtinws able to hid( in the Iaggltd pdp( of tIll hoiI TIlt papPI ShOldc1 he of til(gt Iwst quality so that long and continued soaking will not eallSt it to (0111( apalt
In ]l1tpalil1 a c(11 thc pnl)(lis soakpcl in watc prlss(ltl bct ((n two pipels of blot ing P11)(1 to lJ1OC tXCPSS Illoi stll 1( alld pla((1 on a mielof(olX sli(lp pI(gtfcrably 011( of till thin nwndinp slitits For epps and yOllng J1Iit(s it sinplt thiekn(ss of papll is sldlkitnt hilt fol a(llilts two thidmess(s ar( n((CSSHlV with the hol(s in exact Jgislcl A small hit of 100(1 is pla(((] ill til ((II 1111 lIIitl 01 Illitls alc liftNl 111 on the point of a fin brush and put into til( (11 alJolhpl lIlielos(opt slirll is placpd on top llnd the whole is wound -ith scvshyeral tUlns of lllaY) waxt( thnad 01 clippNl togpthlr ~ith sll1all elips oj spring ha~s ~Iip of pnptl (arrying 1l1lJ1111(ls 01 othel identifishycation marks may be slipl1Plt1 heneath the thnac1 or clips
At first thin slic(s of 11(Oh nJlIOllloom (1 lISlmiddott1 as 100(1 but dri(c1 lI1usllrOOIl1 was iollnltl to hl jll-t as ac((ptablp to the mitts and fal tHsill to kclp on hallet Tht food mattIil shollld be plaCNl so that it tOllelHs the edgl of t 11( pH PPI h(I( it SUOI i 1)((011 les J1 wist a nd soft and wl(re the moistule (onttnt may he ltUlat((l By ltulatin the anlOl1nt of wthr in the papel tlH~ c(11 mIY bl ktpt it th( P10 peshyhllllliltlitv and the fond at the prop( moistllle contlnL C(lls so PIlparedllJay be handltd with a minimllm of (an and ohsllat ions lIIay bpound ma(l( rapdly and (lsily at any time from either side with e1tl)(1 the low-power billo(lIlu Ol tIll (ompoUl1( mieloseopl
By w(tti ng the pa pt1 tl1l cells W(I hpt as moist as WHS compatible 1th the saJety of the mites At times moisture condensed in the ((lis in suCh Cjuantiti(s as Iltarly to drown the mites thenin I1Pccssishytating t changl to n driPl clmiddotII In til( abstllce of any method of measlIling the humidity ill sulth small SpallS it is Pl(SLlnHll that the
7 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED USHHOOMS
cells wpre kept at as nearly a snturated humidity as possible Obsershynltiollsin cultures mushroom hous( and e1H(C tolage rOOlTls haTe led to the beJief that varintions in relative humidity proyided tlHY are within reason may not playas important It part in the life histol) of lJloplul(uS lintlle1i as they do in that of SOI~1l of tlle otller cHJJdHe At any rate these 1111t(S are capable of wlthstanc1l11g relashytingtly dryas wH a lclatiYcly Illoit conditions
Stoek eulttll(S of miteswll maintained in cpll111 milk hottles C011shytaining mushroom spawn or moldy 01 othelwise dullagld grain
Meflslllel1lel1ts of a 11 stagls of t hl mitts ypre made yithollt indlllt1ing the chelicerac as t1wy an lllpabl( of bping pitllPl lwnt down or siraightp11((l out nltlring the mpaSnnlllll1t conj(clably
ObSplnlt ions WPIl Iliadc at intpITals but tllP acts of oyiposi( ion hatching and molting usually took plan at nifht and were len ill 011 Iy a fc- casC
Tn case it beculle (lcsilahle to distinllish c(rtnin Illit(s ill II culture for fl fe hOllls t1wse i nd i idllal (j( fed on wax plllltil such [IS is 11-((1 for marking gilS ThCy ate this material leadily anI the colors of thc wax in ilH intpstine (re distinguishable through the budy wall for 24 hours 01 mol(
DESCR1PTTON OF STAGES
TUE EGG
The Cfgs of llJ1oplwYU8 linlleri (fig 4 D) are rCgularly clongate oya] (II sllilill~ whitt wl1(11 firt laid and with a smooth shell ThCy an from (ll i (() 013 111111 ill Ilng( h anraginp 012 mill nlHl from OOG to 008 111m in c1ianHlcl iprafinf OOT 111111 _Ulp 2 days of ]1Hullatioll 011( (lid o tIl( (gg b(COIlllS hyalilltbullJIIt prior to the hatching oj til( lfg till h(1 1 0 W irtgular longitudinal l1mrkings altplllallly lighter alld durkel
TUE LARA
The lana of TyroP1111g liS li IIfllli (fig + A) has on1) six l(gs the poslaquoriol pair nol applaring until alter thl firt Illolt This first instal is a (par sll1liuallpnent yhile haying a weL sticky apIWHlshyancc 111( brisths OJ s(t1l a1( not so nunllOIlS as on t h( In hr stnUlS and an allantd n shown in tl]( HulC The hntth of 111( 11 111( in (11( s(ri(s 1Il(aSIi I(d rlI1~(d l)(t((1 (l1O and 03 111111 a lid as ShOl1 in table 1 illlald 011( llllll Ill( llips IPHItiI (hlouuh to mat lIIity and til( lHnrdsof s(x kppt show that size cannot Iw taken liS an indicat ion of s(X in allY oi tlll illll1l11tilC SblflS
TAIlL~ I-LcIUIlI of the 1I1I1~ff)Oll l1Iil( (1lroJllt(tUI(~ lillillcri) ill 1(110118 Iif(-IIslorJ ~Ia[(~
Aern~e Itngth or ho(l~ 0(shy
rnle __I~~I~___~h ~xe~ Alm~ 1 1m fUl
Tlnrmiddotn~~~_ ~~ ~ _____ ~ ______ _ O11fgt lrotonymph __ 0181 1 OIfII 1~2 nlutonympIL __ bull 2middot10 j 2middotHi lIi Allult berore IIlIl1ln~ 276 312 31 a ~dull arter mllting Wt ~2i ~U
--------------------------~------
8 rECHNICAL BULLETlN 879 u S DEPT Ol~ AGItlCULlURE
D
c
lwr(r middot1-J)pIOpIIHlnl Ingw of IIIfl II liS 1i1l11l(li 1 Pi1 intII (111111) XOQ lJ (liirll illlllal (dlIlvIIYllllli) XOO C aduU XltiO D ~g XOO
9 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS
TIlE PROTONYlIPII
The nymph of the second stadium OJ protonymph is largeJ than the IalTa measuLing rom 014 to 02) 111111 in 111l~rth wlth an a(~mge of 0182 mm It is octopod and the hUI11elal allgle of the body tLC usually conspicuous giving the nymph II diamond-shaped appearance hen viewed from above 01 below It is lHa Jly (olorless at first but soon be(omes a light amber yellow The body bristles am longer in proportion anLllllore nUlllerous thall ill the larva
TIlE Hypopus
Among the ACn Jidae IhCIl is a (1IJiOllS stngC hCI((11 thC two nymphal stagli (nilId Ih( hypnpns 01 hypopial stngC TIIP hypopw is It wry different CIlatmp 110111 the octopod Ilylllph from whieh it originated beillg flattelled ith a wry haLd Ieathel) integllnlPnL hort weak legs nnd no llIolithpaJts TowaJd the posteriol end of the yltnlTal snrfnl~p thprp islI1 alI plOidpcl middotith s((1I1 (iltlrllI sllekels III sOll1e spC(i(s of acarid mites Ihe hy]lopu is lalC OJ lacking whereas in othet speeies it il WI) (()Imnon illdlPcl Sot all in(iidual- pass through thi~stnge (yell in fpelils in hidl it i (Ollllllon lnd the conshyditions gmPll1illg its ff)JJnnf ion In lIot wpll lllHlplstood Hypopi are abl( to lutTil ldYlIs( (oJl(liiion slich as lt1IYII(SS 01 a Illu(h longer time than the adult llitC a1l(l this (ollpled with the fact that they 1equirello food lIlak(s (he slag( well fiultd fOl dissemination
rhe hypopi aUacil I hplllseln hy lIHans of iPg alld sllek(I- to any 111oing objPd that (Ol)(S within glaspillg 11 it11 1 C( ilwh llS a fly dothshying of wOIklls or tool FI ips Ita ( hl(11 (en that were So (oP1ed with hY]I(l]Ji as to be ullable to fly )ollllally 1101((1 t 11( free ride (elminn(e in nl1o(I1(1 lo(ality hel till h)POIH1S dmps oil 11 l(ll1llishylions then a1( faomJjp for it- ((Yllopnlll1t (he hY]lo]llls llIoltsI)((omshying a dllItollympit (thi1dins(al) whith in 11111 bll()llllS lIll adult
ROl1e SIW(iP8 of a(lu1t llealid mites sllell as i]j8ti()~t()ll1l glll(iliplI Banks whitt alo ()((III in Illl1ShmOlll Iwels aI( -Illggish and softshybOlLi(c] ldaptllilo liing ill a sPllliliqllid nHdillll1 and unaht til ithshystand much dlsic(atil1 -Ich sp((i(s al( poorly (ftuipPNII)I making theilway to nllo(ali(iCsin till adultstag( and as would bl (x]edld hypopi a 1( ir(CI 0 Ill lld TYlopllll[IIISlilllIlli on the ut hl hand is able to withstand quil(t mnpe of dl~l(SS and ttlHwlal 11( in till allut stag( and is ratllC1 agil( alld on thl hole(11 adnpt(d to making ils way to a Il( Pllilonlllent To this s]lp(ils til( hypopial stagp i less essential HllL (11(1lt101( 11le not hwill lwen oiJselld bv tIll author
Mites han bpcn llalelt1 in qllantity ill (middotultult~ and in ~ow IllilllblS ill indiidllal ((II HlPIal tlains han J(ln Jlwintail1ltd fIOIlI tin1pound to time yet in llPlIly 10 yealsno h))(lPi han Hppealld that olld with certainty be lCillI((l (0 TIloplia[IU8 linllilri All hypopi I(alpd prowd to be thOR ()f other 81)((i(5 wmally t ho-l of ililtlio8toma hieh had somehow otttn int(J till (ult Ule
A(l1lologislsol mallY yeals failPd to (onl1(ct till hypopi with the adult aealid mites but dp(libCdt IWlll as spCcip- of t Ill genus llYPOP1l8 Aflel some time the wOIk of Jlegnin (W) and Michael (In proed thcm to be 1I1lxlla llylUphal stag( of tl1l Acalidae
bull n g Ewing in (orrls[JothlI~( ~lnt(ti thnt hp hns itllntifietl the hypoPi of this mite ill otlltlfCS
GOiJIHo-I4-middot2
10 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiD U S DEPT OF AGlUCULTURE
THE DEUTONYMPH
The nymph of th~ third stadium 01 (1ntonymph (fig 4 B) differs from the PIotoll)mph in I)(ing ~()nllwhai lalgr (on to 031 11l1ll lit length averaging 0246 111111) al1d in having tIll humeral angles of the body sOI11ehat Jess eOllspiCuous It rcseHlbls the adult very closely in appearan(p eXllpt that the sexual organs arc not fully Llevelopecl It is slightly smaller however and the hody hristles arc shorter
TUE ADULT
The adult mit( (fig 4 () is slmitranspalent and lIsually a diffuse pink-h 01 nlloish lI(ppnc1ing 011 the color of t11( food in the inshyhHti ne Thp)( iH IIHIIn 11y n150 a large l1wd ian brown or blmrnih HpoLwhieh s(ems to b( the (0I1(nt5 of the crop showing through the intlgllll1ellt alld t HJ sma Illr lateral spots lila Iking the positiolls of the oil HaeS Th( i lltlgllllll1I tis Hlnoot h and polished a lid wi t hOllt mn Ikings 1h( (ilt-lHUI11 is SIl100t hI (OIllX 01 sOIlllwhat fiatlened as yjewlcl from the side depll(ling ()11 the qllantity of material in the alimentary canal s Hll1I from a)oe til( abc1olll(n i8 rOUlllled postllioli) Ht Iongly i n(pntltl at the sides n t about the anillior t h iill and t Illll(lte allt(liolly TllPlcis usually a Iather ]lIol1lill(nt 101lgishytndilltll SlIiellS at each side jllSt within the hUIlIlItl angles but as these sulci SP(lll to 1w dul to the at t alhlllllIi of inttliol lllllseles their P)(lIllilllnlp alil~ The (pphalot hOlax is Illally conp-shappd the base llnllOPI than th( bae of Ihp nl)(lolll(n and s(pamtwl flom it b a distinct gloOl The IOStllIlHis Iath(l small and the mandiblps (dllliclltt) a 1( tooth(( as showll in fipulei ( Tlwlo is SOllle YHliashyt ion in 1he l(lnlt h of the t(l(lth an (1 ill 1he lo)ustnoHs of 1he eiwill but the 1I1il nglnlcnt of the t(let h SlIl1S to a Iy ] ittle TIlt arla ngtllIpnt of the body lIa iiS is shown in figulls 4 C and 5 B Allholllh ]lot shown ill Ih(~ figun all the hailS of thl body alld most of those of the lCgs art mil1l1tlly bipe(iinat( as sbown in 5 A The Itgs of 7yopWf1l8 lintlllli alp lathtIlnnl all(l SIlI1([(I the tarsi equal to or longer than t hl t WIgt pIpc(d i Ill joi Ilt H togl1ll(l
bull11 hOlllh the l)((t inat iOlls of thI hristles of these miles 11( minute tll(y ale middotiHiblp ((ll wit h the loY-poel hino(uliu ill liying speeimel1s 01 dr IIIOllllis IIIIlHHlnt(d SPP(illl(I1S ho(n~l tlHY 11]( YPly diflicnlt to SP H is IHtsalv to han niP fO(lIH and light xadly Iilht in ordr to ditilllIish thlllI It was thought at fils that th(v ~ere IxtllllIllv flaglll nIH1 fold(l ill UpOIl till palellt hair hell pl~(ldill tlw moullt ill Illltiillm but this StlIIIS no to I)l till caSCo ~ltmillgly UHy arC (xtPIlIlly tllin alld clll1 PIY Ilpidly IH(oll1ing Yln dlmshyelilt io dist illgllish~illf( IllOst ttalulolists hl(YoII(((I with IllJunted I1wttlia 1 it SIlIlIS posible tlw t I his elw radel might hl e uetll 0(1shylook(d ill sOllle ease even whtn pItsent
SEXLAL CIIAHACTEHS
Ill( StXpf can 11( (list illgl1ijwll lInd(middot tll( 10-])ow(1 bino(lIlar althollgh not wit It allY gnat llltaint TIH lIlale is usually slllHl1er nIHI I(ISS robllst t hnn tItl fllIlall Illinol diff(Iln((s in the shape of t Iw body (an Ill dis illllIisllld and ith just til( lIOptl light the minnte depllssioJl8 of the lOlJltiatory suckers lIlay be distinguished The
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS 11
rearing cells however may be placedlll1c1el the (ompollnd 111 iCloscope and tIle sex of mites 1lpt therpin dehllllillCcl ith little or no difficulty
llJale-TlH penis of the male is situaipd belnmiddoten the fourth pail of legs anti with its chitinous sc1erites appears lU shown ill figure 0 A
5
7 ---ie-----
13---1
14---+-1
A B
Frnnm ii-Drinil or annlomy of T(()JllIlIlI~ lilllllfrI Pnll of POifIirll hOlll
hlil1l howillg l~(tillat iUll ll (iH~rlll of Ilt(tilt half or hody hoing I 111 ll-PIIl1l r C1f lin i1 C till eilli i-tII -Iwwillg till n 1llIlgllIlllIt of (eth Till IIIUllhtlillg of Ilip lIail8 ill JJ lOIlfPOlld Willi IIIlt loy 1lly I IIII Stapitr (1) ful lllOlh(I Vci
The ma1 or eopulatnry sl1(kll~ l1( itllniNll11H on (neh -lilli of the Hill at its postriol Plld (fig 0 B)
Fmiddotmal(-ThpYlll dilwiPlllnll jitlllI( hllYlIll 11)(gt third aml fOllltlt pairs of leg (fig- U (I) Xo all1 uektls an PI(~lIIL Inl Illt(rnl yilw the raised ldllS oi Ill 1l)PIIIHtOI~ pon may Olllel1l1lPS be distinguish(middotd Oil tht llost(lo-donli 11111(( a])oc the llIlUS
J2 lECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE
DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD
DURATION
The duration of the different stages in the development of the mushshyroom mite was detelmined at 765 0 6)0 and 5iio F whieh represent temperatuns that an IIsually employed dllring the suceessiye periods ill the culture of mushrooms as will be c1iscu-ltsed under the section Life History in Mllshrool11 Houses (p 16) The two lower temperashytuns Yere maintained in temperatllre eabinlts and yere constant ithin plus or minus lhllc-fourths of a degrle The higher temperashyture was that of the laboratory room and varied hetween 720 and 800 F but as betYlen 1[)0 alHl 780 llIore than 1)0 wlcent of the time
As shmm in table 2 the duration of the dpwlopmental periods of individllal miles clilllred gnaily partiClIlarJy yhen these were reared at 55 0 F Tem]wlatuJe had (onsideraule eflect on dlYllopment the Rwragn cluml ions at 76) (j)o and 55deg F bling 12 19 and 54 days respedively The average (turnl ions of the four stages ere near the
FlGum~ 6-middotDlili1~ 01 g0I1itt1in (If TJroplll111I8 lillIIN A 101is nnd H(comshypallying clprilts or 1I1tL B Hlwi ~uckerH 01 lIull( C 111 1 (If rlllIl1le
sflme knglh bui lhl ]llnll and prolonymphal siages -pre a little shoder thnn the oilwrs Ill( hmpemture had about the same influence on all fOIIL stages lpcords of a lItJ)IJer of ltlitps Ieared at the higl1lr temperature sll()I that tIll Ilmiddotlllalel tend to dlyelop it little faster than the maltmiddots
HATCHING
PImiddotio] to the ltatching of lhe egg the shell 8hmys ilregular longishytudinal markings alternately ligliter and dadur resembling in this ]rspeet a miniature rattlpsnake wnhJlIlelon The Jlloements of the legs and cheliceme oJ the lana llla) be detected through the shell The dl(lielIal Yolk in it scraping Illotion agninst the side of the shell and tIte kgs 1I10e vigorously at int~Ials Vith fllquent pauses for rest it ((quilps certailily ~ ll1cl plobahly J or lllOle hours for the Inryt to blPilk the shlll The actual hatching occupies only 2 or 3 minutes fter the eggslwll has been rllptuletl by the chel ieerne it is jlltlwl split by moeJ1llnts of tIll legs 11nti] the l11ptmc involves progressiYlly one side one end and usually lIlost of the other side of the egg The end that is split may Je at either the posterior or anterior end of the larva
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
7 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED USHHOOMS
cells wpre kept at as nearly a snturated humidity as possible Obsershynltiollsin cultures mushroom hous( and e1H(C tolage rOOlTls haTe led to the beJief that varintions in relative humidity proyided tlHY are within reason may not playas important It part in the life histol) of lJloplul(uS lintlle1i as they do in that of SOI~1l of tlle otller cHJJdHe At any rate these 1111t(S are capable of wlthstanc1l11g relashytingtly dryas wH a lclatiYcly Illoit conditions
Stoek eulttll(S of miteswll maintained in cpll111 milk hottles C011shytaining mushroom spawn or moldy 01 othelwise dullagld grain
Meflslllel1lel1ts of a 11 stagls of t hl mitts ypre made yithollt indlllt1ing the chelicerac as t1wy an lllpabl( of bping pitllPl lwnt down or siraightp11((l out nltlring the mpaSnnlllll1t conj(clably
ObSplnlt ions WPIl Iliadc at intpITals but tllP acts of oyiposi( ion hatching and molting usually took plan at nifht and were len ill 011 Iy a fc- casC
Tn case it beculle (lcsilahle to distinllish c(rtnin Illit(s ill II culture for fl fe hOllls t1wse i nd i idllal (j( fed on wax plllltil such [IS is 11-((1 for marking gilS ThCy ate this material leadily anI the colors of thc wax in ilH intpstine (re distinguishable through the budy wall for 24 hours 01 mol(
DESCR1PTTON OF STAGES
TUE EGG
The Cfgs of llJ1oplwYU8 linlleri (fig 4 D) are rCgularly clongate oya] (II sllilill~ whitt wl1(11 firt laid and with a smooth shell ThCy an from (ll i (() 013 111111 ill Ilng( h anraginp 012 mill nlHl from OOG to 008 111m in c1ianHlcl iprafinf OOT 111111 _Ulp 2 days of ]1Hullatioll 011( (lid o tIl( (gg b(COIlllS hyalilltbullJIIt prior to the hatching oj til( lfg till h(1 1 0 W irtgular longitudinal l1mrkings altplllallly lighter alld durkel
TUE LARA
The lana of TyroP1111g liS li IIfllli (fig + A) has on1) six l(gs the poslaquoriol pair nol applaring until alter thl firt Illolt This first instal is a (par sll1liuallpnent yhile haying a weL sticky apIWHlshyancc 111( brisths OJ s(t1l a1( not so nunllOIlS as on t h( In hr stnUlS and an allantd n shown in tl]( HulC The hntth of 111( 11 111( in (11( s(ri(s 1Il(aSIi I(d rlI1~(d l)(t((1 (l1O and 03 111111 a lid as ShOl1 in table 1 illlald 011( llllll Ill( llips IPHItiI (hlouuh to mat lIIity and til( lHnrdsof s(x kppt show that size cannot Iw taken liS an indicat ion of s(X in allY oi tlll illll1l11tilC SblflS
TAIlL~ I-LcIUIlI of the 1I1I1~ff)Oll l1Iil( (1lroJllt(tUI(~ lillillcri) ill 1(110118 Iif(-IIslorJ ~Ia[(~
Aern~e Itngth or ho(l~ 0(shy
rnle __I~~I~___~h ~xe~ Alm~ 1 1m fUl
Tlnrmiddotn~~~_ ~~ ~ _____ ~ ______ _ O11fgt lrotonymph __ 0181 1 OIfII 1~2 nlutonympIL __ bull 2middot10 j 2middotHi lIi Allult berore IIlIl1ln~ 276 312 31 a ~dull arter mllting Wt ~2i ~U
--------------------------~------
8 rECHNICAL BULLETlN 879 u S DEPT Ol~ AGItlCULlURE
D
c
lwr(r middot1-J)pIOpIIHlnl Ingw of IIIfl II liS 1i1l11l(li 1 Pi1 intII (111111) XOQ lJ (liirll illlllal (dlIlvIIYllllli) XOO C aduU XltiO D ~g XOO
9 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS
TIlE PROTONYlIPII
The nymph of the second stadium OJ protonymph is largeJ than the IalTa measuLing rom 014 to 02) 111111 in 111l~rth wlth an a(~mge of 0182 mm It is octopod and the hUI11elal allgle of the body tLC usually conspicuous giving the nymph II diamond-shaped appearance hen viewed from above 01 below It is lHa Jly (olorless at first but soon be(omes a light amber yellow The body bristles am longer in proportion anLllllore nUlllerous thall ill the larva
TIlE Hypopus
Among the ACn Jidae IhCIl is a (1IJiOllS stngC hCI((11 thC two nymphal stagli (nilId Ih( hypnpns 01 hypopial stngC TIIP hypopw is It wry different CIlatmp 110111 the octopod Ilylllph from whieh it originated beillg flattelled ith a wry haLd Ieathel) integllnlPnL hort weak legs nnd no llIolithpaJts TowaJd the posteriol end of the yltnlTal snrfnl~p thprp islI1 alI plOidpcl middotith s((1I1 (iltlrllI sllekels III sOll1e spC(i(s of acarid mites Ihe hy]lopu is lalC OJ lacking whereas in othet speeies it il WI) (()Imnon illdlPcl Sot all in(iidual- pass through thi~stnge (yell in fpelils in hidl it i (Ollllllon lnd the conshyditions gmPll1illg its ff)JJnnf ion In lIot wpll lllHlplstood Hypopi are abl( to lutTil ldYlIs( (oJl(liiion slich as lt1IYII(SS 01 a Illu(h longer time than the adult llitC a1l(l this (ollpled with the fact that they 1equirello food lIlak(s (he slag( well fiultd fOl dissemination
rhe hypopi aUacil I hplllseln hy lIHans of iPg alld sllek(I- to any 111oing objPd that (Ol)(S within glaspillg 11 it11 1 C( ilwh llS a fly dothshying of wOIklls or tool FI ips Ita ( hl(11 (en that were So (oP1ed with hY]I(l]Ji as to be ullable to fly )ollllally 1101((1 t 11( free ride (elminn(e in nl1o(I1(1 lo(ality hel till h)POIH1S dmps oil 11 l(ll1llishylions then a1( faomJjp for it- ((Yllopnlll1t (he hY]lo]llls llIoltsI)((omshying a dllItollympit (thi1dins(al) whith in 11111 bll()llllS lIll adult
ROl1e SIW(iP8 of a(lu1t llealid mites sllell as i]j8ti()~t()ll1l glll(iliplI Banks whitt alo ()((III in Illl1ShmOlll Iwels aI( -Illggish and softshybOlLi(c] ldaptllilo liing ill a sPllliliqllid nHdillll1 and unaht til ithshystand much dlsic(atil1 -Ich sp((i(s al( poorly (ftuipPNII)I making theilway to nllo(ali(iCsin till adultstag( and as would bl (x]edld hypopi a 1( ir(CI 0 Ill lld TYlopllll[IIISlilllIlli on the ut hl hand is able to withstand quil(t mnpe of dl~l(SS and ttlHwlal 11( in till allut stag( and is ratllC1 agil( alld on thl hole(11 adnpt(d to making ils way to a Il( Pllilonlllent To this s]lp(ils til( hypopial stagp i less essential HllL (11(1lt101( 11le not hwill lwen oiJselld bv tIll author
Mites han bpcn llalelt1 in qllantity ill (middotultult~ and in ~ow IllilllblS ill indiidllal ((II HlPIal tlains han J(ln Jlwintail1ltd fIOIlI tin1pound to time yet in llPlIly 10 yealsno h))(lPi han Hppealld that olld with certainty be lCillI((l (0 TIloplia[IU8 linllilri All hypopi I(alpd prowd to be thOR ()f other 81)((i(5 wmally t ho-l of ililtlio8toma hieh had somehow otttn int(J till (ult Ule
A(l1lologislsol mallY yeals failPd to (onl1(ct till hypopi with the adult aealid mites but dp(libCdt IWlll as spCcip- of t Ill genus llYPOP1l8 Aflel some time the wOIk of Jlegnin (W) and Michael (In proed thcm to be 1I1lxlla llylUphal stag( of tl1l Acalidae
bull n g Ewing in (orrls[JothlI~( ~lnt(ti thnt hp hns itllntifietl the hypoPi of this mite ill otlltlfCS
GOiJIHo-I4-middot2
10 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiD U S DEPT OF AGlUCULTURE
THE DEUTONYMPH
The nymph of th~ third stadium 01 (1ntonymph (fig 4 B) differs from the PIotoll)mph in I)(ing ~()nllwhai lalgr (on to 031 11l1ll lit length averaging 0246 111111) al1d in having tIll humeral angles of the body sOI11ehat Jess eOllspiCuous It rcseHlbls the adult very closely in appearan(p eXllpt that the sexual organs arc not fully Llevelopecl It is slightly smaller however and the hody hristles arc shorter
TUE ADULT
The adult mit( (fig 4 () is slmitranspalent and lIsually a diffuse pink-h 01 nlloish lI(ppnc1ing 011 the color of t11( food in the inshyhHti ne Thp)( iH IIHIIn 11y n150 a large l1wd ian brown or blmrnih HpoLwhieh s(ems to b( the (0I1(nt5 of the crop showing through the intlgllll1ellt alld t HJ sma Illr lateral spots lila Iking the positiolls of the oil HaeS Th( i lltlgllllll1I tis Hlnoot h and polished a lid wi t hOllt mn Ikings 1h( (ilt-lHUI11 is SIl100t hI (OIllX 01 sOIlllwhat fiatlened as yjewlcl from the side depll(ling ()11 the qllantity of material in the alimentary canal s Hll1I from a)oe til( abc1olll(n i8 rOUlllled postllioli) Ht Iongly i n(pntltl at the sides n t about the anillior t h iill and t Illll(lte allt(liolly TllPlcis usually a Iather ]lIol1lill(nt 101lgishytndilltll SlIiellS at each side jllSt within the hUIlIlItl angles but as these sulci SP(lll to 1w dul to the at t alhlllllIi of inttliol lllllseles their P)(lIllilllnlp alil~ The (pphalot hOlax is Illally conp-shappd the base llnllOPI than th( bae of Ihp nl)(lolll(n and s(pamtwl flom it b a distinct gloOl The IOStllIlHis Iath(l small and the mandiblps (dllliclltt) a 1( tooth(( as showll in fipulei ( Tlwlo is SOllle YHliashyt ion in 1he l(lnlt h of the t(l(lth an (1 ill 1he lo)ustnoHs of 1he eiwill but the 1I1il nglnlcnt of the t(let h SlIl1S to a Iy ] ittle TIlt arla ngtllIpnt of the body lIa iiS is shown in figulls 4 C and 5 B Allholllh ]lot shown ill Ih(~ figun all the hailS of thl body alld most of those of the lCgs art mil1l1tlly bipe(iinat( as sbown in 5 A The Itgs of 7yopWf1l8 lintlllli alp lathtIlnnl all(l SIlI1([(I the tarsi equal to or longer than t hl t WIgt pIpc(d i Ill joi Ilt H togl1ll(l
bull11 hOlllh the l)((t inat iOlls of thI hristles of these miles 11( minute tll(y ale middotiHiblp ((ll wit h the loY-poel hino(uliu ill liying speeimel1s 01 dr IIIOllllis IIIIlHHlnt(d SPP(illl(I1S ho(n~l tlHY 11]( YPly diflicnlt to SP H is IHtsalv to han niP fO(lIH and light xadly Iilht in ordr to ditilllIish thlllI It was thought at fils that th(v ~ere IxtllllIllv flaglll nIH1 fold(l ill UpOIl till palellt hair hell pl~(ldill tlw moullt ill Illltiillm but this StlIIIS no to I)l till caSCo ~ltmillgly UHy arC (xtPIlIlly tllin alld clll1 PIY Ilpidly IH(oll1ing Yln dlmshyelilt io dist illgllish~illf( IllOst ttalulolists hl(YoII(((I with IllJunted I1wttlia 1 it SIlIlIS posible tlw t I his elw radel might hl e uetll 0(1shylook(d ill sOllle ease even whtn pItsent
SEXLAL CIIAHACTEHS
Ill( StXpf can 11( (list illgl1ijwll lInd(middot tll( 10-])ow(1 bino(lIlar althollgh not wit It allY gnat llltaint TIH lIlale is usually slllHl1er nIHI I(ISS robllst t hnn tItl fllIlall Illinol diff(Iln((s in the shape of t Iw body (an Ill dis illllIisllld and ith just til( lIOptl light the minnte depllssioJl8 of the lOlJltiatory suckers lIlay be distinguished The
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS 11
rearing cells however may be placedlll1c1el the (ompollnd 111 iCloscope and tIle sex of mites 1lpt therpin dehllllillCcl ith little or no difficulty
llJale-TlH penis of the male is situaipd belnmiddoten the fourth pail of legs anti with its chitinous sc1erites appears lU shown ill figure 0 A
5
7 ---ie-----
13---1
14---+-1
A B
Frnnm ii-Drinil or annlomy of T(()JllIlIlI~ lilllllfrI Pnll of POifIirll hOlll
hlil1l howillg l~(tillat iUll ll (iH~rlll of Ilt(tilt half or hody hoing I 111 ll-PIIl1l r C1f lin i1 C till eilli i-tII -Iwwillg till n 1llIlgllIlllIt of (eth Till IIIUllhtlillg of Ilip lIail8 ill JJ lOIlfPOlld Willi IIIlt loy 1lly I IIII Stapitr (1) ful lllOlh(I Vci
The ma1 or eopulatnry sl1(kll~ l1( itllniNll11H on (neh -lilli of the Hill at its postriol Plld (fig 0 B)
Fmiddotmal(-ThpYlll dilwiPlllnll jitlllI( hllYlIll 11)(gt third aml fOllltlt pairs of leg (fig- U (I) Xo all1 uektls an PI(~lIIL Inl Illt(rnl yilw the raised ldllS oi Ill 1l)PIIIHtOI~ pon may Olllel1l1lPS be distinguish(middotd Oil tht llost(lo-donli 11111(( a])oc the llIlUS
J2 lECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE
DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD
DURATION
The duration of the different stages in the development of the mushshyroom mite was detelmined at 765 0 6)0 and 5iio F whieh represent temperatuns that an IIsually employed dllring the suceessiye periods ill the culture of mushrooms as will be c1iscu-ltsed under the section Life History in Mllshrool11 Houses (p 16) The two lower temperashytuns Yere maintained in temperatllre eabinlts and yere constant ithin plus or minus lhllc-fourths of a degrle The higher temperashyture was that of the laboratory room and varied hetween 720 and 800 F but as betYlen 1[)0 alHl 780 llIore than 1)0 wlcent of the time
As shmm in table 2 the duration of the dpwlopmental periods of individllal miles clilllred gnaily partiClIlarJy yhen these were reared at 55 0 F Tem]wlatuJe had (onsideraule eflect on dlYllopment the Rwragn cluml ions at 76) (j)o and 55deg F bling 12 19 and 54 days respedively The average (turnl ions of the four stages ere near the
FlGum~ 6-middotDlili1~ 01 g0I1itt1in (If TJroplll111I8 lillIIN A 101is nnd H(comshypallying clprilts or 1I1tL B Hlwi ~uckerH 01 lIull( C 111 1 (If rlllIl1le
sflme knglh bui lhl ]llnll and prolonymphal siages -pre a little shoder thnn the oilwrs Ill( hmpemture had about the same influence on all fOIIL stages lpcords of a lItJ)IJer of ltlitps Ieared at the higl1lr temperature sll()I that tIll Ilmiddotlllalel tend to dlyelop it little faster than the maltmiddots
HATCHING
PImiddotio] to the ltatching of lhe egg the shell 8hmys ilregular longishytudinal markings alternately ligliter and dadur resembling in this ]rspeet a miniature rattlpsnake wnhJlIlelon The Jlloements of the legs and cheliceme oJ the lana llla) be detected through the shell The dl(lielIal Yolk in it scraping Illotion agninst the side of the shell and tIte kgs 1I10e vigorously at int~Ials Vith fllquent pauses for rest it ((quilps certailily ~ ll1cl plobahly J or lllOle hours for the Inryt to blPilk the shlll The actual hatching occupies only 2 or 3 minutes fter the eggslwll has been rllptuletl by the chel ieerne it is jlltlwl split by moeJ1llnts of tIll legs 11nti] the l11ptmc involves progressiYlly one side one end and usually lIlost of the other side of the egg The end that is split may Je at either the posterior or anterior end of the larva
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
8 rECHNICAL BULLETlN 879 u S DEPT Ol~ AGItlCULlURE
D
c
lwr(r middot1-J)pIOpIIHlnl Ingw of IIIfl II liS 1i1l11l(li 1 Pi1 intII (111111) XOQ lJ (liirll illlllal (dlIlvIIYllllli) XOO C aduU XltiO D ~g XOO
9 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS
TIlE PROTONYlIPII
The nymph of the second stadium OJ protonymph is largeJ than the IalTa measuLing rom 014 to 02) 111111 in 111l~rth wlth an a(~mge of 0182 mm It is octopod and the hUI11elal allgle of the body tLC usually conspicuous giving the nymph II diamond-shaped appearance hen viewed from above 01 below It is lHa Jly (olorless at first but soon be(omes a light amber yellow The body bristles am longer in proportion anLllllore nUlllerous thall ill the larva
TIlE Hypopus
Among the ACn Jidae IhCIl is a (1IJiOllS stngC hCI((11 thC two nymphal stagli (nilId Ih( hypnpns 01 hypopial stngC TIIP hypopw is It wry different CIlatmp 110111 the octopod Ilylllph from whieh it originated beillg flattelled ith a wry haLd Ieathel) integllnlPnL hort weak legs nnd no llIolithpaJts TowaJd the posteriol end of the yltnlTal snrfnl~p thprp islI1 alI plOidpcl middotith s((1I1 (iltlrllI sllekels III sOll1e spC(i(s of acarid mites Ihe hy]lopu is lalC OJ lacking whereas in othet speeies it il WI) (()Imnon illdlPcl Sot all in(iidual- pass through thi~stnge (yell in fpelils in hidl it i (Ollllllon lnd the conshyditions gmPll1illg its ff)JJnnf ion In lIot wpll lllHlplstood Hypopi are abl( to lutTil ldYlIs( (oJl(liiion slich as lt1IYII(SS 01 a Illu(h longer time than the adult llitC a1l(l this (ollpled with the fact that they 1equirello food lIlak(s (he slag( well fiultd fOl dissemination
rhe hypopi aUacil I hplllseln hy lIHans of iPg alld sllek(I- to any 111oing objPd that (Ol)(S within glaspillg 11 it11 1 C( ilwh llS a fly dothshying of wOIklls or tool FI ips Ita ( hl(11 (en that were So (oP1ed with hY]I(l]Ji as to be ullable to fly )ollllally 1101((1 t 11( free ride (elminn(e in nl1o(I1(1 lo(ality hel till h)POIH1S dmps oil 11 l(ll1llishylions then a1( faomJjp for it- ((Yllopnlll1t (he hY]lo]llls llIoltsI)((omshying a dllItollympit (thi1dins(al) whith in 11111 bll()llllS lIll adult
ROl1e SIW(iP8 of a(lu1t llealid mites sllell as i]j8ti()~t()ll1l glll(iliplI Banks whitt alo ()((III in Illl1ShmOlll Iwels aI( -Illggish and softshybOlLi(c] ldaptllilo liing ill a sPllliliqllid nHdillll1 and unaht til ithshystand much dlsic(atil1 -Ich sp((i(s al( poorly (ftuipPNII)I making theilway to nllo(ali(iCsin till adultstag( and as would bl (x]edld hypopi a 1( ir(CI 0 Ill lld TYlopllll[IIISlilllIlli on the ut hl hand is able to withstand quil(t mnpe of dl~l(SS and ttlHwlal 11( in till allut stag( and is ratllC1 agil( alld on thl hole(11 adnpt(d to making ils way to a Il( Pllilonlllent To this s]lp(ils til( hypopial stagp i less essential HllL (11(1lt101( 11le not hwill lwen oiJselld bv tIll author
Mites han bpcn llalelt1 in qllantity ill (middotultult~ and in ~ow IllilllblS ill indiidllal ((II HlPIal tlains han J(ln Jlwintail1ltd fIOIlI tin1pound to time yet in llPlIly 10 yealsno h))(lPi han Hppealld that olld with certainty be lCillI((l (0 TIloplia[IU8 linllilri All hypopi I(alpd prowd to be thOR ()f other 81)((i(5 wmally t ho-l of ililtlio8toma hieh had somehow otttn int(J till (ult Ule
A(l1lologislsol mallY yeals failPd to (onl1(ct till hypopi with the adult aealid mites but dp(libCdt IWlll as spCcip- of t Ill genus llYPOP1l8 Aflel some time the wOIk of Jlegnin (W) and Michael (In proed thcm to be 1I1lxlla llylUphal stag( of tl1l Acalidae
bull n g Ewing in (orrls[JothlI~( ~lnt(ti thnt hp hns itllntifietl the hypoPi of this mite ill otlltlfCS
GOiJIHo-I4-middot2
10 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiD U S DEPT OF AGlUCULTURE
THE DEUTONYMPH
The nymph of th~ third stadium 01 (1ntonymph (fig 4 B) differs from the PIotoll)mph in I)(ing ~()nllwhai lalgr (on to 031 11l1ll lit length averaging 0246 111111) al1d in having tIll humeral angles of the body sOI11ehat Jess eOllspiCuous It rcseHlbls the adult very closely in appearan(p eXllpt that the sexual organs arc not fully Llevelopecl It is slightly smaller however and the hody hristles arc shorter
TUE ADULT
The adult mit( (fig 4 () is slmitranspalent and lIsually a diffuse pink-h 01 nlloish lI(ppnc1ing 011 the color of t11( food in the inshyhHti ne Thp)( iH IIHIIn 11y n150 a large l1wd ian brown or blmrnih HpoLwhieh s(ems to b( the (0I1(nt5 of the crop showing through the intlgllll1ellt alld t HJ sma Illr lateral spots lila Iking the positiolls of the oil HaeS Th( i lltlgllllll1I tis Hlnoot h and polished a lid wi t hOllt mn Ikings 1h( (ilt-lHUI11 is SIl100t hI (OIllX 01 sOIlllwhat fiatlened as yjewlcl from the side depll(ling ()11 the qllantity of material in the alimentary canal s Hll1I from a)oe til( abc1olll(n i8 rOUlllled postllioli) Ht Iongly i n(pntltl at the sides n t about the anillior t h iill and t Illll(lte allt(liolly TllPlcis usually a Iather ]lIol1lill(nt 101lgishytndilltll SlIiellS at each side jllSt within the hUIlIlItl angles but as these sulci SP(lll to 1w dul to the at t alhlllllIi of inttliol lllllseles their P)(lIllilllnlp alil~ The (pphalot hOlax is Illally conp-shappd the base llnllOPI than th( bae of Ihp nl)(lolll(n and s(pamtwl flom it b a distinct gloOl The IOStllIlHis Iath(l small and the mandiblps (dllliclltt) a 1( tooth(( as showll in fipulei ( Tlwlo is SOllle YHliashyt ion in 1he l(lnlt h of the t(l(lth an (1 ill 1he lo)ustnoHs of 1he eiwill but the 1I1il nglnlcnt of the t(let h SlIl1S to a Iy ] ittle TIlt arla ngtllIpnt of the body lIa iiS is shown in figulls 4 C and 5 B Allholllh ]lot shown ill Ih(~ figun all the hailS of thl body alld most of those of the lCgs art mil1l1tlly bipe(iinat( as sbown in 5 A The Itgs of 7yopWf1l8 lintlllli alp lathtIlnnl all(l SIlI1([(I the tarsi equal to or longer than t hl t WIgt pIpc(d i Ill joi Ilt H togl1ll(l
bull11 hOlllh the l)((t inat iOlls of thI hristles of these miles 11( minute tll(y ale middotiHiblp ((ll wit h the loY-poel hino(uliu ill liying speeimel1s 01 dr IIIOllllis IIIIlHHlnt(d SPP(illl(I1S ho(n~l tlHY 11]( YPly diflicnlt to SP H is IHtsalv to han niP fO(lIH and light xadly Iilht in ordr to ditilllIish thlllI It was thought at fils that th(v ~ere IxtllllIllv flaglll nIH1 fold(l ill UpOIl till palellt hair hell pl~(ldill tlw moullt ill Illltiillm but this StlIIIS no to I)l till caSCo ~ltmillgly UHy arC (xtPIlIlly tllin alld clll1 PIY Ilpidly IH(oll1ing Yln dlmshyelilt io dist illgllish~illf( IllOst ttalulolists hl(YoII(((I with IllJunted I1wttlia 1 it SIlIlIS posible tlw t I his elw radel might hl e uetll 0(1shylook(d ill sOllle ease even whtn pItsent
SEXLAL CIIAHACTEHS
Ill( StXpf can 11( (list illgl1ijwll lInd(middot tll( 10-])ow(1 bino(lIlar althollgh not wit It allY gnat llltaint TIH lIlale is usually slllHl1er nIHI I(ISS robllst t hnn tItl fllIlall Illinol diff(Iln((s in the shape of t Iw body (an Ill dis illllIisllld and ith just til( lIOptl light the minnte depllssioJl8 of the lOlJltiatory suckers lIlay be distinguished The
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS 11
rearing cells however may be placedlll1c1el the (ompollnd 111 iCloscope and tIle sex of mites 1lpt therpin dehllllillCcl ith little or no difficulty
llJale-TlH penis of the male is situaipd belnmiddoten the fourth pail of legs anti with its chitinous sc1erites appears lU shown ill figure 0 A
5
7 ---ie-----
13---1
14---+-1
A B
Frnnm ii-Drinil or annlomy of T(()JllIlIlI~ lilllllfrI Pnll of POifIirll hOlll
hlil1l howillg l~(tillat iUll ll (iH~rlll of Ilt(tilt half or hody hoing I 111 ll-PIIl1l r C1f lin i1 C till eilli i-tII -Iwwillg till n 1llIlgllIlllIt of (eth Till IIIUllhtlillg of Ilip lIail8 ill JJ lOIlfPOlld Willi IIIlt loy 1lly I IIII Stapitr (1) ful lllOlh(I Vci
The ma1 or eopulatnry sl1(kll~ l1( itllniNll11H on (neh -lilli of the Hill at its postriol Plld (fig 0 B)
Fmiddotmal(-ThpYlll dilwiPlllnll jitlllI( hllYlIll 11)(gt third aml fOllltlt pairs of leg (fig- U (I) Xo all1 uektls an PI(~lIIL Inl Illt(rnl yilw the raised ldllS oi Ill 1l)PIIIHtOI~ pon may Olllel1l1lPS be distinguish(middotd Oil tht llost(lo-donli 11111(( a])oc the llIlUS
J2 lECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE
DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD
DURATION
The duration of the different stages in the development of the mushshyroom mite was detelmined at 765 0 6)0 and 5iio F whieh represent temperatuns that an IIsually employed dllring the suceessiye periods ill the culture of mushrooms as will be c1iscu-ltsed under the section Life History in Mllshrool11 Houses (p 16) The two lower temperashytuns Yere maintained in temperatllre eabinlts and yere constant ithin plus or minus lhllc-fourths of a degrle The higher temperashyture was that of the laboratory room and varied hetween 720 and 800 F but as betYlen 1[)0 alHl 780 llIore than 1)0 wlcent of the time
As shmm in table 2 the duration of the dpwlopmental periods of individllal miles clilllred gnaily partiClIlarJy yhen these were reared at 55 0 F Tem]wlatuJe had (onsideraule eflect on dlYllopment the Rwragn cluml ions at 76) (j)o and 55deg F bling 12 19 and 54 days respedively The average (turnl ions of the four stages ere near the
FlGum~ 6-middotDlili1~ 01 g0I1itt1in (If TJroplll111I8 lillIIN A 101is nnd H(comshypallying clprilts or 1I1tL B Hlwi ~uckerH 01 lIull( C 111 1 (If rlllIl1le
sflme knglh bui lhl ]llnll and prolonymphal siages -pre a little shoder thnn the oilwrs Ill( hmpemture had about the same influence on all fOIIL stages lpcords of a lItJ)IJer of ltlitps Ieared at the higl1lr temperature sll()I that tIll Ilmiddotlllalel tend to dlyelop it little faster than the maltmiddots
HATCHING
PImiddotio] to the ltatching of lhe egg the shell 8hmys ilregular longishytudinal markings alternately ligliter and dadur resembling in this ]rspeet a miniature rattlpsnake wnhJlIlelon The Jlloements of the legs and cheliceme oJ the lana llla) be detected through the shell The dl(lielIal Yolk in it scraping Illotion agninst the side of the shell and tIte kgs 1I10e vigorously at int~Ials Vith fllquent pauses for rest it ((quilps certailily ~ ll1cl plobahly J or lllOle hours for the Inryt to blPilk the shlll The actual hatching occupies only 2 or 3 minutes fter the eggslwll has been rllptuletl by the chel ieerne it is jlltlwl split by moeJ1llnts of tIll legs 11nti] the l11ptmc involves progressiYlly one side one end and usually lIlost of the other side of the egg The end that is split may Je at either the posterior or anterior end of the larva
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
9 THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS
TIlE PROTONYlIPII
The nymph of the second stadium OJ protonymph is largeJ than the IalTa measuLing rom 014 to 02) 111111 in 111l~rth wlth an a(~mge of 0182 mm It is octopod and the hUI11elal allgle of the body tLC usually conspicuous giving the nymph II diamond-shaped appearance hen viewed from above 01 below It is lHa Jly (olorless at first but soon be(omes a light amber yellow The body bristles am longer in proportion anLllllore nUlllerous thall ill the larva
TIlE Hypopus
Among the ACn Jidae IhCIl is a (1IJiOllS stngC hCI((11 thC two nymphal stagli (nilId Ih( hypnpns 01 hypopial stngC TIIP hypopw is It wry different CIlatmp 110111 the octopod Ilylllph from whieh it originated beillg flattelled ith a wry haLd Ieathel) integllnlPnL hort weak legs nnd no llIolithpaJts TowaJd the posteriol end of the yltnlTal snrfnl~p thprp islI1 alI plOidpcl middotith s((1I1 (iltlrllI sllekels III sOll1e spC(i(s of acarid mites Ihe hy]lopu is lalC OJ lacking whereas in othet speeies it il WI) (()Imnon illdlPcl Sot all in(iidual- pass through thi~stnge (yell in fpelils in hidl it i (Ollllllon lnd the conshyditions gmPll1illg its ff)JJnnf ion In lIot wpll lllHlplstood Hypopi are abl( to lutTil ldYlIs( (oJl(liiion slich as lt1IYII(SS 01 a Illu(h longer time than the adult llitC a1l(l this (ollpled with the fact that they 1equirello food lIlak(s (he slag( well fiultd fOl dissemination
rhe hypopi aUacil I hplllseln hy lIHans of iPg alld sllek(I- to any 111oing objPd that (Ol)(S within glaspillg 11 it11 1 C( ilwh llS a fly dothshying of wOIklls or tool FI ips Ita ( hl(11 (en that were So (oP1ed with hY]I(l]Ji as to be ullable to fly )ollllally 1101((1 t 11( free ride (elminn(e in nl1o(I1(1 lo(ality hel till h)POIH1S dmps oil 11 l(ll1llishylions then a1( faomJjp for it- ((Yllopnlll1t (he hY]lo]llls llIoltsI)((omshying a dllItollympit (thi1dins(al) whith in 11111 bll()llllS lIll adult
ROl1e SIW(iP8 of a(lu1t llealid mites sllell as i]j8ti()~t()ll1l glll(iliplI Banks whitt alo ()((III in Illl1ShmOlll Iwels aI( -Illggish and softshybOlLi(c] ldaptllilo liing ill a sPllliliqllid nHdillll1 and unaht til ithshystand much dlsic(atil1 -Ich sp((i(s al( poorly (ftuipPNII)I making theilway to nllo(ali(iCsin till adultstag( and as would bl (x]edld hypopi a 1( ir(CI 0 Ill lld TYlopllll[IIISlilllIlli on the ut hl hand is able to withstand quil(t mnpe of dl~l(SS and ttlHwlal 11( in till allut stag( and is ratllC1 agil( alld on thl hole(11 adnpt(d to making ils way to a Il( Pllilonlllent To this s]lp(ils til( hypopial stagp i less essential HllL (11(1lt101( 11le not hwill lwen oiJselld bv tIll author
Mites han bpcn llalelt1 in qllantity ill (middotultult~ and in ~ow IllilllblS ill indiidllal ((II HlPIal tlains han J(ln Jlwintail1ltd fIOIlI tin1pound to time yet in llPlIly 10 yealsno h))(lPi han Hppealld that olld with certainty be lCillI((l (0 TIloplia[IU8 linllilri All hypopi I(alpd prowd to be thOR ()f other 81)((i(5 wmally t ho-l of ililtlio8toma hieh had somehow otttn int(J till (ult Ule
A(l1lologislsol mallY yeals failPd to (onl1(ct till hypopi with the adult aealid mites but dp(libCdt IWlll as spCcip- of t Ill genus llYPOP1l8 Aflel some time the wOIk of Jlegnin (W) and Michael (In proed thcm to be 1I1lxlla llylUphal stag( of tl1l Acalidae
bull n g Ewing in (orrls[JothlI~( ~lnt(ti thnt hp hns itllntifietl the hypoPi of this mite ill otlltlfCS
GOiJIHo-I4-middot2
10 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiD U S DEPT OF AGlUCULTURE
THE DEUTONYMPH
The nymph of th~ third stadium 01 (1ntonymph (fig 4 B) differs from the PIotoll)mph in I)(ing ~()nllwhai lalgr (on to 031 11l1ll lit length averaging 0246 111111) al1d in having tIll humeral angles of the body sOI11ehat Jess eOllspiCuous It rcseHlbls the adult very closely in appearan(p eXllpt that the sexual organs arc not fully Llevelopecl It is slightly smaller however and the hody hristles arc shorter
TUE ADULT
The adult mit( (fig 4 () is slmitranspalent and lIsually a diffuse pink-h 01 nlloish lI(ppnc1ing 011 the color of t11( food in the inshyhHti ne Thp)( iH IIHIIn 11y n150 a large l1wd ian brown or blmrnih HpoLwhieh s(ems to b( the (0I1(nt5 of the crop showing through the intlgllll1ellt alld t HJ sma Illr lateral spots lila Iking the positiolls of the oil HaeS Th( i lltlgllllll1I tis Hlnoot h and polished a lid wi t hOllt mn Ikings 1h( (ilt-lHUI11 is SIl100t hI (OIllX 01 sOIlllwhat fiatlened as yjewlcl from the side depll(ling ()11 the qllantity of material in the alimentary canal s Hll1I from a)oe til( abc1olll(n i8 rOUlllled postllioli) Ht Iongly i n(pntltl at the sides n t about the anillior t h iill and t Illll(lte allt(liolly TllPlcis usually a Iather ]lIol1lill(nt 101lgishytndilltll SlIiellS at each side jllSt within the hUIlIlItl angles but as these sulci SP(lll to 1w dul to the at t alhlllllIi of inttliol lllllseles their P)(lIllilllnlp alil~ The (pphalot hOlax is Illally conp-shappd the base llnllOPI than th( bae of Ihp nl)(lolll(n and s(pamtwl flom it b a distinct gloOl The IOStllIlHis Iath(l small and the mandiblps (dllliclltt) a 1( tooth(( as showll in fipulei ( Tlwlo is SOllle YHliashyt ion in 1he l(lnlt h of the t(l(lth an (1 ill 1he lo)ustnoHs of 1he eiwill but the 1I1il nglnlcnt of the t(let h SlIl1S to a Iy ] ittle TIlt arla ngtllIpnt of the body lIa iiS is shown in figulls 4 C and 5 B Allholllh ]lot shown ill Ih(~ figun all the hailS of thl body alld most of those of the lCgs art mil1l1tlly bipe(iinat( as sbown in 5 A The Itgs of 7yopWf1l8 lintlllli alp lathtIlnnl all(l SIlI1([(I the tarsi equal to or longer than t hl t WIgt pIpc(d i Ill joi Ilt H togl1ll(l
bull11 hOlllh the l)((t inat iOlls of thI hristles of these miles 11( minute tll(y ale middotiHiblp ((ll wit h the loY-poel hino(uliu ill liying speeimel1s 01 dr IIIOllllis IIIIlHHlnt(d SPP(illl(I1S ho(n~l tlHY 11]( YPly diflicnlt to SP H is IHtsalv to han niP fO(lIH and light xadly Iilht in ordr to ditilllIish thlllI It was thought at fils that th(v ~ere IxtllllIllv flaglll nIH1 fold(l ill UpOIl till palellt hair hell pl~(ldill tlw moullt ill Illltiillm but this StlIIIS no to I)l till caSCo ~ltmillgly UHy arC (xtPIlIlly tllin alld clll1 PIY Ilpidly IH(oll1ing Yln dlmshyelilt io dist illgllish~illf( IllOst ttalulolists hl(YoII(((I with IllJunted I1wttlia 1 it SIlIlIS posible tlw t I his elw radel might hl e uetll 0(1shylook(d ill sOllle ease even whtn pItsent
SEXLAL CIIAHACTEHS
Ill( StXpf can 11( (list illgl1ijwll lInd(middot tll( 10-])ow(1 bino(lIlar althollgh not wit It allY gnat llltaint TIH lIlale is usually slllHl1er nIHI I(ISS robllst t hnn tItl fllIlall Illinol diff(Iln((s in the shape of t Iw body (an Ill dis illllIisllld and ith just til( lIOptl light the minnte depllssioJl8 of the lOlJltiatory suckers lIlay be distinguished The
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS 11
rearing cells however may be placedlll1c1el the (ompollnd 111 iCloscope and tIle sex of mites 1lpt therpin dehllllillCcl ith little or no difficulty
llJale-TlH penis of the male is situaipd belnmiddoten the fourth pail of legs anti with its chitinous sc1erites appears lU shown ill figure 0 A
5
7 ---ie-----
13---1
14---+-1
A B
Frnnm ii-Drinil or annlomy of T(()JllIlIlI~ lilllllfrI Pnll of POifIirll hOlll
hlil1l howillg l~(tillat iUll ll (iH~rlll of Ilt(tilt half or hody hoing I 111 ll-PIIl1l r C1f lin i1 C till eilli i-tII -Iwwillg till n 1llIlgllIlllIt of (eth Till IIIUllhtlillg of Ilip lIail8 ill JJ lOIlfPOlld Willi IIIlt loy 1lly I IIII Stapitr (1) ful lllOlh(I Vci
The ma1 or eopulatnry sl1(kll~ l1( itllniNll11H on (neh -lilli of the Hill at its postriol Plld (fig 0 B)
Fmiddotmal(-ThpYlll dilwiPlllnll jitlllI( hllYlIll 11)(gt third aml fOllltlt pairs of leg (fig- U (I) Xo all1 uektls an PI(~lIIL Inl Illt(rnl yilw the raised ldllS oi Ill 1l)PIIIHtOI~ pon may Olllel1l1lPS be distinguish(middotd Oil tht llost(lo-donli 11111(( a])oc the llIlUS
J2 lECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE
DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD
DURATION
The duration of the different stages in the development of the mushshyroom mite was detelmined at 765 0 6)0 and 5iio F whieh represent temperatuns that an IIsually employed dllring the suceessiye periods ill the culture of mushrooms as will be c1iscu-ltsed under the section Life History in Mllshrool11 Houses (p 16) The two lower temperashytuns Yere maintained in temperatllre eabinlts and yere constant ithin plus or minus lhllc-fourths of a degrle The higher temperashyture was that of the laboratory room and varied hetween 720 and 800 F but as betYlen 1[)0 alHl 780 llIore than 1)0 wlcent of the time
As shmm in table 2 the duration of the dpwlopmental periods of individllal miles clilllred gnaily partiClIlarJy yhen these were reared at 55 0 F Tem]wlatuJe had (onsideraule eflect on dlYllopment the Rwragn cluml ions at 76) (j)o and 55deg F bling 12 19 and 54 days respedively The average (turnl ions of the four stages ere near the
FlGum~ 6-middotDlili1~ 01 g0I1itt1in (If TJroplll111I8 lillIIN A 101is nnd H(comshypallying clprilts or 1I1tL B Hlwi ~uckerH 01 lIull( C 111 1 (If rlllIl1le
sflme knglh bui lhl ]llnll and prolonymphal siages -pre a little shoder thnn the oilwrs Ill( hmpemture had about the same influence on all fOIIL stages lpcords of a lItJ)IJer of ltlitps Ieared at the higl1lr temperature sll()I that tIll Ilmiddotlllalel tend to dlyelop it little faster than the maltmiddots
HATCHING
PImiddotio] to the ltatching of lhe egg the shell 8hmys ilregular longishytudinal markings alternately ligliter and dadur resembling in this ]rspeet a miniature rattlpsnake wnhJlIlelon The Jlloements of the legs and cheliceme oJ the lana llla) be detected through the shell The dl(lielIal Yolk in it scraping Illotion agninst the side of the shell and tIte kgs 1I10e vigorously at int~Ials Vith fllquent pauses for rest it ((quilps certailily ~ ll1cl plobahly J or lllOle hours for the Inryt to blPilk the shlll The actual hatching occupies only 2 or 3 minutes fter the eggslwll has been rllptuletl by the chel ieerne it is jlltlwl split by moeJ1llnts of tIll legs 11nti] the l11ptmc involves progressiYlly one side one end and usually lIlost of the other side of the egg The end that is split may Je at either the posterior or anterior end of the larva
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
10 TECHNICAL BULLETIN SiD U S DEPT OF AGlUCULTURE
THE DEUTONYMPH
The nymph of th~ third stadium 01 (1ntonymph (fig 4 B) differs from the PIotoll)mph in I)(ing ~()nllwhai lalgr (on to 031 11l1ll lit length averaging 0246 111111) al1d in having tIll humeral angles of the body sOI11ehat Jess eOllspiCuous It rcseHlbls the adult very closely in appearan(p eXllpt that the sexual organs arc not fully Llevelopecl It is slightly smaller however and the hody hristles arc shorter
TUE ADULT
The adult mit( (fig 4 () is slmitranspalent and lIsually a diffuse pink-h 01 nlloish lI(ppnc1ing 011 the color of t11( food in the inshyhHti ne Thp)( iH IIHIIn 11y n150 a large l1wd ian brown or blmrnih HpoLwhieh s(ems to b( the (0I1(nt5 of the crop showing through the intlgllll1ellt alld t HJ sma Illr lateral spots lila Iking the positiolls of the oil HaeS Th( i lltlgllllll1I tis Hlnoot h and polished a lid wi t hOllt mn Ikings 1h( (ilt-lHUI11 is SIl100t hI (OIllX 01 sOIlllwhat fiatlened as yjewlcl from the side depll(ling ()11 the qllantity of material in the alimentary canal s Hll1I from a)oe til( abc1olll(n i8 rOUlllled postllioli) Ht Iongly i n(pntltl at the sides n t about the anillior t h iill and t Illll(lte allt(liolly TllPlcis usually a Iather ]lIol1lill(nt 101lgishytndilltll SlIiellS at each side jllSt within the hUIlIlItl angles but as these sulci SP(lll to 1w dul to the at t alhlllllIi of inttliol lllllseles their P)(lIllilllnlp alil~ The (pphalot hOlax is Illally conp-shappd the base llnllOPI than th( bae of Ihp nl)(lolll(n and s(pamtwl flom it b a distinct gloOl The IOStllIlHis Iath(l small and the mandiblps (dllliclltt) a 1( tooth(( as showll in fipulei ( Tlwlo is SOllle YHliashyt ion in 1he l(lnlt h of the t(l(lth an (1 ill 1he lo)ustnoHs of 1he eiwill but the 1I1il nglnlcnt of the t(let h SlIl1S to a Iy ] ittle TIlt arla ngtllIpnt of the body lIa iiS is shown in figulls 4 C and 5 B Allholllh ]lot shown ill Ih(~ figun all the hailS of thl body alld most of those of the lCgs art mil1l1tlly bipe(iinat( as sbown in 5 A The Itgs of 7yopWf1l8 lintlllli alp lathtIlnnl all(l SIlI1([(I the tarsi equal to or longer than t hl t WIgt pIpc(d i Ill joi Ilt H togl1ll(l
bull11 hOlllh the l)((t inat iOlls of thI hristles of these miles 11( minute tll(y ale middotiHiblp ((ll wit h the loY-poel hino(uliu ill liying speeimel1s 01 dr IIIOllllis IIIIlHHlnt(d SPP(illl(I1S ho(n~l tlHY 11]( YPly diflicnlt to SP H is IHtsalv to han niP fO(lIH and light xadly Iilht in ordr to ditilllIish thlllI It was thought at fils that th(v ~ere IxtllllIllv flaglll nIH1 fold(l ill UpOIl till palellt hair hell pl~(ldill tlw moullt ill Illltiillm but this StlIIIS no to I)l till caSCo ~ltmillgly UHy arC (xtPIlIlly tllin alld clll1 PIY Ilpidly IH(oll1ing Yln dlmshyelilt io dist illgllish~illf( IllOst ttalulolists hl(YoII(((I with IllJunted I1wttlia 1 it SIlIlIS posible tlw t I his elw radel might hl e uetll 0(1shylook(d ill sOllle ease even whtn pItsent
SEXLAL CIIAHACTEHS
Ill( StXpf can 11( (list illgl1ijwll lInd(middot tll( 10-])ow(1 bino(lIlar althollgh not wit It allY gnat llltaint TIH lIlale is usually slllHl1er nIHI I(ISS robllst t hnn tItl fllIlall Illinol diff(Iln((s in the shape of t Iw body (an Ill dis illllIisllld and ith just til( lIOptl light the minnte depllssioJl8 of the lOlJltiatory suckers lIlay be distinguished The
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS 11
rearing cells however may be placedlll1c1el the (ompollnd 111 iCloscope and tIle sex of mites 1lpt therpin dehllllillCcl ith little or no difficulty
llJale-TlH penis of the male is situaipd belnmiddoten the fourth pail of legs anti with its chitinous sc1erites appears lU shown ill figure 0 A
5
7 ---ie-----
13---1
14---+-1
A B
Frnnm ii-Drinil or annlomy of T(()JllIlIlI~ lilllllfrI Pnll of POifIirll hOlll
hlil1l howillg l~(tillat iUll ll (iH~rlll of Ilt(tilt half or hody hoing I 111 ll-PIIl1l r C1f lin i1 C till eilli i-tII -Iwwillg till n 1llIlgllIlllIt of (eth Till IIIUllhtlillg of Ilip lIail8 ill JJ lOIlfPOlld Willi IIIlt loy 1lly I IIII Stapitr (1) ful lllOlh(I Vci
The ma1 or eopulatnry sl1(kll~ l1( itllniNll11H on (neh -lilli of the Hill at its postriol Plld (fig 0 B)
Fmiddotmal(-ThpYlll dilwiPlllnll jitlllI( hllYlIll 11)(gt third aml fOllltlt pairs of leg (fig- U (I) Xo all1 uektls an PI(~lIIL Inl Illt(rnl yilw the raised ldllS oi Ill 1l)PIIIHtOI~ pon may Olllel1l1lPS be distinguish(middotd Oil tht llost(lo-donli 11111(( a])oc the llIlUS
J2 lECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE
DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD
DURATION
The duration of the different stages in the development of the mushshyroom mite was detelmined at 765 0 6)0 and 5iio F whieh represent temperatuns that an IIsually employed dllring the suceessiye periods ill the culture of mushrooms as will be c1iscu-ltsed under the section Life History in Mllshrool11 Houses (p 16) The two lower temperashytuns Yere maintained in temperatllre eabinlts and yere constant ithin plus or minus lhllc-fourths of a degrle The higher temperashyture was that of the laboratory room and varied hetween 720 and 800 F but as betYlen 1[)0 alHl 780 llIore than 1)0 wlcent of the time
As shmm in table 2 the duration of the dpwlopmental periods of individllal miles clilllred gnaily partiClIlarJy yhen these were reared at 55 0 F Tem]wlatuJe had (onsideraule eflect on dlYllopment the Rwragn cluml ions at 76) (j)o and 55deg F bling 12 19 and 54 days respedively The average (turnl ions of the four stages ere near the
FlGum~ 6-middotDlili1~ 01 g0I1itt1in (If TJroplll111I8 lillIIN A 101is nnd H(comshypallying clprilts or 1I1tL B Hlwi ~uckerH 01 lIull( C 111 1 (If rlllIl1le
sflme knglh bui lhl ]llnll and prolonymphal siages -pre a little shoder thnn the oilwrs Ill( hmpemture had about the same influence on all fOIIL stages lpcords of a lItJ)IJer of ltlitps Ieared at the higl1lr temperature sll()I that tIll Ilmiddotlllalel tend to dlyelop it little faster than the maltmiddots
HATCHING
PImiddotio] to the ltatching of lhe egg the shell 8hmys ilregular longishytudinal markings alternately ligliter and dadur resembling in this ]rspeet a miniature rattlpsnake wnhJlIlelon The Jlloements of the legs and cheliceme oJ the lana llla) be detected through the shell The dl(lielIal Yolk in it scraping Illotion agninst the side of the shell and tIte kgs 1I10e vigorously at int~Ials Vith fllquent pauses for rest it ((quilps certailily ~ ll1cl plobahly J or lllOle hours for the Inryt to blPilk the shlll The actual hatching occupies only 2 or 3 minutes fter the eggslwll has been rllptuletl by the chel ieerne it is jlltlwl split by moeJ1llnts of tIll legs 11nti] the l11ptmc involves progressiYlly one side one end and usually lIlost of the other side of the egg The end that is split may Je at either the posterior or anterior end of the larva
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTIVATED lIUSHHOOMS 11
rearing cells however may be placedlll1c1el the (ompollnd 111 iCloscope and tIle sex of mites 1lpt therpin dehllllillCcl ith little or no difficulty
llJale-TlH penis of the male is situaipd belnmiddoten the fourth pail of legs anti with its chitinous sc1erites appears lU shown ill figure 0 A
5
7 ---ie-----
13---1
14---+-1
A B
Frnnm ii-Drinil or annlomy of T(()JllIlIlI~ lilllllfrI Pnll of POifIirll hOlll
hlil1l howillg l~(tillat iUll ll (iH~rlll of Ilt(tilt half or hody hoing I 111 ll-PIIl1l r C1f lin i1 C till eilli i-tII -Iwwillg till n 1llIlgllIlllIt of (eth Till IIIUllhtlillg of Ilip lIail8 ill JJ lOIlfPOlld Willi IIIlt loy 1lly I IIII Stapitr (1) ful lllOlh(I Vci
The ma1 or eopulatnry sl1(kll~ l1( itllniNll11H on (neh -lilli of the Hill at its postriol Plld (fig 0 B)
Fmiddotmal(-ThpYlll dilwiPlllnll jitlllI( hllYlIll 11)(gt third aml fOllltlt pairs of leg (fig- U (I) Xo all1 uektls an PI(~lIIL Inl Illt(rnl yilw the raised ldllS oi Ill 1l)PIIIHtOI~ pon may Olllel1l1lPS be distinguish(middotd Oil tht llost(lo-donli 11111(( a])oc the llIlUS
J2 lECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE
DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD
DURATION
The duration of the different stages in the development of the mushshyroom mite was detelmined at 765 0 6)0 and 5iio F whieh represent temperatuns that an IIsually employed dllring the suceessiye periods ill the culture of mushrooms as will be c1iscu-ltsed under the section Life History in Mllshrool11 Houses (p 16) The two lower temperashytuns Yere maintained in temperatllre eabinlts and yere constant ithin plus or minus lhllc-fourths of a degrle The higher temperashyture was that of the laboratory room and varied hetween 720 and 800 F but as betYlen 1[)0 alHl 780 llIore than 1)0 wlcent of the time
As shmm in table 2 the duration of the dpwlopmental periods of individllal miles clilllred gnaily partiClIlarJy yhen these were reared at 55 0 F Tem]wlatuJe had (onsideraule eflect on dlYllopment the Rwragn cluml ions at 76) (j)o and 55deg F bling 12 19 and 54 days respedively The average (turnl ions of the four stages ere near the
FlGum~ 6-middotDlili1~ 01 g0I1itt1in (If TJroplll111I8 lillIIN A 101is nnd H(comshypallying clprilts or 1I1tL B Hlwi ~uckerH 01 lIull( C 111 1 (If rlllIl1le
sflme knglh bui lhl ]llnll and prolonymphal siages -pre a little shoder thnn the oilwrs Ill( hmpemture had about the same influence on all fOIIL stages lpcords of a lItJ)IJer of ltlitps Ieared at the higl1lr temperature sll()I that tIll Ilmiddotlllalel tend to dlyelop it little faster than the maltmiddots
HATCHING
PImiddotio] to the ltatching of lhe egg the shell 8hmys ilregular longishytudinal markings alternately ligliter and dadur resembling in this ]rspeet a miniature rattlpsnake wnhJlIlelon The Jlloements of the legs and cheliceme oJ the lana llla) be detected through the shell The dl(lielIal Yolk in it scraping Illotion agninst the side of the shell and tIte kgs 1I10e vigorously at int~Ials Vith fllquent pauses for rest it ((quilps certailily ~ ll1cl plobahly J or lllOle hours for the Inryt to blPilk the shlll The actual hatching occupies only 2 or 3 minutes fter the eggslwll has been rllptuletl by the chel ieerne it is jlltlwl split by moeJ1llnts of tIll legs 11nti] the l11ptmc involves progressiYlly one side one end and usually lIlost of the other side of the egg The end that is split may Je at either the posterior or anterior end of the larva
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
J2 lECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE
DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD
DURATION
The duration of the different stages in the development of the mushshyroom mite was detelmined at 765 0 6)0 and 5iio F whieh represent temperatuns that an IIsually employed dllring the suceessiye periods ill the culture of mushrooms as will be c1iscu-ltsed under the section Life History in Mllshrool11 Houses (p 16) The two lower temperashytuns Yere maintained in temperatllre eabinlts and yere constant ithin plus or minus lhllc-fourths of a degrle The higher temperashyture was that of the laboratory room and varied hetween 720 and 800 F but as betYlen 1[)0 alHl 780 llIore than 1)0 wlcent of the time
As shmm in table 2 the duration of the dpwlopmental periods of individllal miles clilllred gnaily partiClIlarJy yhen these were reared at 55 0 F Tem]wlatuJe had (onsideraule eflect on dlYllopment the Rwragn cluml ions at 76) (j)o and 55deg F bling 12 19 and 54 days respedively The average (turnl ions of the four stages ere near the
FlGum~ 6-middotDlili1~ 01 g0I1itt1in (If TJroplll111I8 lillIIN A 101is nnd H(comshypallying clprilts or 1I1tL B Hlwi ~uckerH 01 lIull( C 111 1 (If rlllIl1le
sflme knglh bui lhl ]llnll and prolonymphal siages -pre a little shoder thnn the oilwrs Ill( hmpemture had about the same influence on all fOIIL stages lpcords of a lItJ)IJer of ltlitps Ieared at the higl1lr temperature sll()I that tIll Ilmiddotlllalel tend to dlyelop it little faster than the maltmiddots
HATCHING
PImiddotio] to the ltatching of lhe egg the shell 8hmys ilregular longishytudinal markings alternately ligliter and dadur resembling in this ]rspeet a miniature rattlpsnake wnhJlIlelon The Jlloements of the legs and cheliceme oJ the lana llla) be detected through the shell The dl(lielIal Yolk in it scraping Illotion agninst the side of the shell and tIte kgs 1I10e vigorously at int~Ials Vith fllquent pauses for rest it ((quilps certailily ~ ll1cl plobahly J or lllOle hours for the Inryt to blPilk the shlll The actual hatching occupies only 2 or 3 minutes fter the eggslwll has been rllptuletl by the chel ieerne it is jlltlwl split by moeJ1llnts of tIll legs 11nti] the l11ptmc involves progressiYlly one side one end and usually lIlost of the other side of the egg The end that is split may Je at either the posterior or anterior end of the larva
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
------------ --
THE MUSHHOOM nllTE A PES1 OF CULTIYATED ~llJSHHO()MS 13
TABJ 2middot-IJilIinn of st(1fl18 in the Ufe hiytolv o tlll 1Illshroom Inite (11I1OPW1I8 lintllcri) at (lif(erfnt temperatures Beltsville Mrl 1036-40
-------------------~-~-----~-- shyl(IllIwrmiddot ~ Individuals ~ DurnlinnStages in lift history -__----- shy
nlllll~ ohsiImiddotpd ~rftjlJlurn finirnnnt -wrugt) --~- -
of NUlIlber Davs j)ays nays Egg- stng(l ___ __ ~ ___ ~ __________ _______ _ 7 151J
i1 S~ 2im ~l 3 i171i j J 12 2 1Ofir 2t2 W 5 120fifgt (in I (i 2 43ili O~ 5 2 an
j l)fi 20L 3u a l[ProtoJlyrnphnl stnvemiddot_~middotmiddot_ ____________ _~~yenI n~ j~ ~ I 2 aaih j So iJ 1
I1 25 l~ 2DIutoIlYTllrhnl stngc_middot ___bull __ ~____ middotmiddot~i ~~ Ig~ ~~ I a 48
t fl i) so 9 1 t 2 5fj un llS Ja IHO
Totn]tltmiddotiodofd(w]OP1ll011L il ~~r ~~ g IS HI 3 III 123
oji 2U 1121 a 150 MA_dull lifp l ______________ ______ _____ ___ 1 yenR n ~~~ ~~m I (~ti10
2 folO 55 l 3~ 1 1middot1 middotj7 81 i
lotuillfl I 11 Gil Ga i 2] 20 85 Uin 5 I
I
GG I 219 ]5 (I 5------ -------_-2_-----------shy1 Of indiddUllls Ilullill in confilltllllnt only
III (JIll of the Jtw actual obselmtions mado 11pon hatching the plogshyle~ was l follows jOCIlltllt of the leg W(I( 111 st 11ot((l at ) G7 n Ill At 10 12 til( c11lLic(lae (1( bibng at inhIVals at the shell They sllOwed dplIJ brown at (h is t i IllC At 10 25 thc lanfL was Ycry nctill but took flplt]utnt lst lwriocis At 12 34 the eggiheJl Ya~i linally cut through by till (hllitlr1P aillt the 1lIpl L11e (olltillued by tho kil~ing of the hgs lllitil the shlll was split back one side and HlOllll(j the end alld fot olllmiddotlhinl 01 the oj)Jlositp side At 12 37 p m the lUlT1L baek(d out alld was (]lal of till shdl aIld morillg of
111(10 ((111 to be little llatural nlollality during incllbatioll Of 1292 eggs k(pt for obselTation UII litis puint ollly ti 01 VV Verccut iail(middotd to hatch
TIm LARAL STAGE
The latTa may be found in l1mlHoom houses in the spawn or on the mnshrooJ1ls in ass()(iatiull with tlIt olhpl stages 01 till Illite and fp((iillg in tllP ~alll( lIltllllllI It begills itcding almost imll1ediatelynftpl hateh illg
PIiOI to (II( fitst molt ttl lntTa ll(collHs qnitL and tl1lt hody bt(()I1Cs jJrar hap((l llid tightly distllllti((l till 10stnl1l1 pxtellltling horizontally 101[11lt1 tliid tht Iltgs twilli stimy (xtltndl(l ftltl n period 01 front 2 ]IOUIS to I1lOj( t hn II 2 day till In Iva I ski II spl i t down the back and the nymph wOlksits Ill ont ba(kwtlld tlml walks [tway The quieshycent tumid condition plccc(les (ICI uiJ-tltltWl1t molt
TUE NYMPHAL STAGES
Both the protollymph nmI t1l1 t1lutonYl11ph hae eight legs an[ therefole I(selllbll (it( adtf mitl nlOI( tlllll1 duls th( lalTa Tlll nYlllph begin to ippd soon nitel thp ])Jolts nnd their bcha viol and feedillg habits a 1( tlw same as those of tlH adult mitt lXClpt for sexual actiyity of the lattel
In one casE obsenpc] HWII waH an (xtra moll thougit no hypopus was fonned 111(1 there vas 110 great d1fference in appearance among the nymphn1 staies
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
14 lECH~ICAL BULLETIN S7J U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
ADULT LIFE
EMERGENCE
The final molt lending to the mature fitage i~ much the same as those preecding 11]( nymph IWlOllllfi quilficlnl and tmnilt1 afilr yoiding the contents of the intestine After [t Testing period mnging from s(veral hours to 2 013 days the nymphal skin fiplits dowll tlll Illidlilll of the back and the adult yorks its way backward Ollt of the old skill For a time the mite is white or colorless but within frolll 2 to S(III
hOUlfi the integUmellt lw(ol11es yellowifih The mite re~umcs fllding in a short time after the molt
TnoPISMS
Though llillfihroom mitefi han no c)r(s they arc sCl1sitive to light and will enlltually placc thlIl1Sens in sHch l~ way as to avoid it
The majority of indiviclnals ale llegativpl~ gpotropic but tl1lY usually wandel about cOllfiidcrablv hefolp fiettling
)fites will lea vc situations wllPrc couditions al(~ too dry to suit them but many times the Il~ad ion i to bunow more ltlcply into the SpU11
rather than to lea vc it altogether in the sellllth for JIl0lstllre
LONGEVITY
The length of adult liff of mihs Ipan(t in (ells nnd closely observed during (l(gtvllopment ras showlI ill table 2 to mnge from 3 to 112 ltla nt 55deg F from 10 to 235 days at 65deg and from 2 to 209 days at 765deg Thc ayerages at the 1 tenqjlgtratlHes wcre 35 (iT alld 53 dIYs llslweshytivfly indicating thnt (j5deg is thf mOrl favorable tpmperatuJe It i3 belipyed howPel owing to the fact that the Illites fJP lpaJflt1 in confillPment that the above figmcs aJe too low to Jeprescnt the normal periods in nature
A series of Illites takpl1 fJom n sto(k (nlhllp and p11(((1 in cells at fi5deg F illllll((liatply nHll the third molt liecl as adults more thnn 5 times as long as diil mitfs that hacllwen Icared ill ((gtl1s One mite of this RPries Iild 4-19 (Jays alld anotheJ 401 days The l1Wlage lire was 197 days Data on till p11(Ct of (onfillPmllIt an giwn ill tabh 3 Thlle sNlIwcI to II( 110 great eli fretenee in the length of adult life of tIll males nnd males
lABu 3middot-J~(l(ll7t oj 1Ir1I7I lifl oj ml~7I1OOIll utilIS (If 50 p (IN illlt((IICI(l U isollllion1I cells to Vl)~(rlliioll (Iill (ZCrdOpllIcllt
1 ATE I) IH[)UA LI
I dllll lir(I IiYi(]lInls _____~_--_rrrrntTllPI11 dllrin~ Sex I obS(1 (d IdtVllopIII(lIlL )IndmllITl ~nnitIltIll1 AYPfU
--------- --------- ----- ------- ~-~- -- -- ---_ shyJVU71lfJ(r JallS J(I~ J)aly
10 lli IIi 2UTsola1(11 in colis _bull ~ _ _ ]0111111ltXot i50In((1 ~_ ___ lt10 8 221 181 InS
10 10 3 21lsolnll(] in (middot115 Ilul
fl 101 22291 I eIXol isola(I __ _ rio _------------------~-- _ _-
Isola(lt1 ill ((lis Both 224Xot isolulNI do ~~~~~~ I ~ I mI 53
------------------------------__--- -- shy
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
THE MUSHROOM lIITE A PEST OF GULTn-ATED MTJSHROOMS 15
MATING
The sex ratio as dt( (1111 ined froll 32 111 it(ls was 5S p(ICent femnJes ~lHl this ratio did lJot seem to be lllattlially affected by difflrencc m temperature
F(lmde Jllites are eapable of mating almost imnlctlintely after thc finnl molt H nlal(ls al(l prlsln( in nilllti)(I as in labolltoJX (lilt tires FIIlt1(r lllushrOOnl-]lOuse conditions if the infestation oJ lI1itls js not hell it may bl stnral days blfoLc the indiidllal- of thl sexes CTlshy
Colilltet olle middotanotiwl fll( il(t of copulation llquiJCs nonnay -from about ao miJlutes to 2 hours 01 more and females sOllletimes oviposit Yery shortly tlHleafter In Olle case in tll( InbOla(ory a f(lllall~ erllcrgCd mattd and laid the first (gg all within (j hOlllSbull~S a WIHlal 1uk hoev(gtl the prcoviposition ])(gtJiod oecupiCs 2 m mOJ( ltlays
FllllHles of thl mllshroom mitt do not normally oiposit blfOJc copulation Only 1 (gg was so Jaitl by (j~ 1I1111lattd ftlIlalt~ rcand and kept IOt longtity Ie(olds lnd this Cgg was infertile The female that laid the egg had benin the adult ~tag( fot about l
month The mites copulHte II numbeJ of tilll(s durillg their adult life It has b(en platedly obsPITed that fpJllalts that had mahd ollce and hnd htPIl k(pt in isolalion thetCa1t(J Ilsudly oiposited less and l(ss fL(qUtlltiy afhL a few da~ (pasing altugetllC1 afttl~ ahout 25 days If n mnle WitS tlwll plnced in the (ell (opulation took plaee almosl- nt 011(( and oiposil ion wns leslIllled at about the norlnal rale aftpJ ahout 24 hous Sinlilndy jf tile llIale of tn old pail dies und 110 OUllI Ilude is put into the ClII o-ipositioll is rlshytnlded and filially c(asCs long beron t-he I1mlllal tilllt bllt ira l11al(~ is intlOdll(Cd oipoition is ICSII II lld From this it appears that fltqlWllt eopulation is esCntiaI to til( Illaini(nall(( of a Jlr)jJllal o-ishyposition ratl _AU eggs een the last on(s laid a fl( the death 01 removal of the malt ale fpltilp from -hidl it npplalS that these mites normally lay nothing bm irtile eggs and do not as do many mit(s and inspets coni inue to oviposit in tile abstJwp of -PPJ1l1
As a IlJattC1 of lllliosibmiddot foul iel11alps weJe Illahmiddotd 2(j to 57 das aft( the thinl Illolt to dhJlllint what the ltltirnat( (ffcei on oishypositioll ould be TIltse adltlts livtd neadr twiCl as long as othCrs lllllted SOon nHeJ cOlllphmiddotting the third llloit Tile tnmgt ICnglh oJ life aftel mating was 33 days alld 2H days fO the two groups ltfpe(ti vely alld th( oyi position priod 28 and 27 clays JPSlwvtiwlr TIH ratl oi oiposition as Wtll as til(gt total IllllllbeJ of lggS laid was slightly 1I((I(1s((1 by tlCInYld Iliafing It SlPIllS that if mating is not too long (kftJJP(1 fCnuti(s al( ablC to lay allllos as lltallY Cggs as t1lOs( mnttd (arly~ and that Ih( longlr 1)Jpoipositioll period is merely that mLJ(~h ndde( to tlwit lotal length of life
O-IPOSITION
In the mushroom hOllS(S Cggs nUl Ill laid at nn~7 time dming the 24 hours sincC thp lollS(S an dad In till lahoratory mitts Inpt in a pinel tXPOSl( to daylight oiposit mostly at night but mites kept in u clad place oiposit at any time
Eggs are laid singly 1In(1 (l(positCd at ranrlom 11(rev-er the fcmale happens to be In the Illllshloom hous(s tillS may be m the spa WIJ on mushrooms on the casillg soil or on the bp(l boalds Ot SUVPOIts
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
16 TECHXICAL BULLETtX Sil U S DEPT OF AGRICLLTCrE
The eggs nre not fatrl((1 in pl~](p in anyway hilt aC IlHP]Y c1roPPN1 Thegt ttltt of cn-ipoitioll hils not IW(l1 ob~rln(1 but nlllt occupy oIl1~ a Yrry sbOlt tilllr for (tell Pgg
As a ruilt n fplliall will Oip0iit infrcmiddotqlHntly at first gra(hlHlly iIllIe1sin the ratl of oiposition until it wak i Ipachr 11(11 th mtegt gradually 1ms Ilntillll( (J-iposition pplir)(1 i tpIlllinntt(1 ullnlly somegt hOUl or dn n lwfOl1 dpnfh TIll tilll( MelSI to lpLch the prlioel of mnXill1lim egg pr(l(1urtion tftpI tIl( iilt Cgg i laid Yllip so lllllh with indiic1uab thnt nn W(IIP l1lPlnS littlp t 5) lI it i- ab~Jlll i3fi days It (j)Q ahollf 2 ltla illid at ) -x~ about 0 days
sLIBFR OF FGGS DEPOSITED
Tilpound f(llllll( Jll i tp nlI(11 and h(middot11l in ((I [I i a (elllJwla tlll( of (5Q F laid from W7 to 05 eggs an anilg( of 4-)4 (luring l(1ult lifr Ol Ilbollt Gt (gg P(l ltla s showll ill iaiJlp t lllitps I1(ltl at Inj a prlg((l a Imt 1 mally (gg UH2) but thoe lPfI 1(gt(1 at )0 ]110shyduced lin HPIIl of onh16 Of ll fpoundIlI1llPS 1(11((1 al ))~ and llwttl 5 did not oil)Ooit at ill inclilatillg that thi (PlIqwlature is el()~e to tiwt at which ()iplIltitioll would ((1-( llltillly
TAHLE -Eff) 11 ill 1J]f IIII 11111lt11 QIJIII III ifr lIS il1IIIf IfrI IIY III iltlflIl Of lite rllI 1 11 ll1 1111 I(II 111
BY FElLE TIL1 1gt1-IoII)IEI t HFJIXn (ELLS
E=-- Ptflrlur(ltl tmiddotrH(~FpUlllelt ulnl Iii ~~irnllrn -~t ~l~J~ulll A (~~H~lllllft~jl
YlmJtT J)ay uwe( middot-lm~er XlUber
55 III ~J i IJ W 6-L 11 71 Ii 2fJj 4-1 765 ~j 41 712 S 1l2
BY nILF TILT lEEL(jPIll IX T(JCK (lLITRE
-I-~
55
Th( tlnin of mittmiddot IHmiddotI ill rIll fOlPioilll stl1lt1ils Wi1 tnkpn fl0111 ntllhloom hOl1s( which 1)( (l1toIlllily 1~(Jlt at 5jO to (j()C F OJ higlwl dllWlldillg Oil litlhpL c()ndition and Oil wlHrhPl malk(gtt (onshyditioi dlIllUIHl a qllick emp nnthlI tTflin of mitp hpt for COIHshypfligton whidl 1 ()iltn infll from n (01(1 100111 ill which t11((gt( was )ipcnrd yn (olllitiolllmiddotd lbout 1() dpglPPi IOPI than the mn-hrool1lshyhouse trai n and Wfl qn itl 1(( in at ii lt
LIFE nfSTORY IX MrSHROO~[ HOrSES
All (OlH1iti(ln in lllu-hl()oll1 houp hpi) HItifi(inl tlll(gt s(gtI-ol1nl v1iatioll in ngtlIlldnllcl of mitlt- (llllnot bp ~lid to (xit ex((pt a the mitp lW(ol1lP iIHIpa-jnh llloll abuIH1ant all fhlOllh til( PiIlll (1uLshying Ihi) llIUhOOIlI- II~ IOWIl
The tPlllJl(gtlltlll( at hllil fil(gt hOl1(gts arc hpld (1uring the nlious stages of CUIIIl lIlay lwn a gl(at infltl(l)(( on the rat( of d(plop mcnt In general the proceltllllmiddotc ill gllli ng mushlooms is as follows
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
THE MUSHROOlf MITE A PEST OF CULTiVATED llUSHROO-IS 17
After the mushroom house has been HIIpd tlH ((lin post in the b(gtds ~o(s through a secondal~r fernwntatifgtJ1 raising the tempellltule of the house middotto 120deg-140deg FB GIOel~ uswtllv (llIlean)l to rJIainhlin the tempelattHc at OJ abmc l~OO for a tillW lind Tumi~ate the hOllse wlllll the iempplllture begins to drop The tell1perature is then allowed to drop slowly
1Yhen the t(gtllIpeJatule of the Iwc1shns dropp(ltl to 80deg F spawn is intlo(ll1Ct(l and the laquomp(lail1lP is t11o(( to dlop to around 72deg for the first 2 ((s 01 so of tIl( spaWIl 1111l HIPII Iowly dlOPPNl again to tlrolJlld (JOdeg illst hdon casillg Casin~ consits in l()PIillg Ill smshyfa(C of tllP I)(ds with xi to I illCh of g-ood loam The bplls ale held at about (J(]O until the first slIlalllllUhlooms appeal wlwn tlllY HII (ooled to till pi(kin~ tem plla luI( wil ieh ra JI~es from )~O to (JOo O een hi~het ((pending UPIll 1(1 htI a slo 01 iat eOJgt is dtsil(d Most growers plpftI 5)0 or a I rifle highrr This is (sl)((iallr tlle of Ihe growers who rai~( ollly om (TOP of lIlIhroOls IWI ltal Ii tht~ 1(11)shyperature Oirhin tlw howl( is allowed to rise above 70deg fol more than R flw days amiddotftel th( Iwds (011( into ploltiuetion tl( (Iopis IUinNI
Tlllle arC tlJ(n thngt( lempprahlllgts 110111 III( b(~iIlJl illg of the cmp) (1) the ttllllwlatule (tllillg the spawn lt1l1 (72deg_7)0 F) (2) tli( IlmshypelatulC aft()I easing (loe) and (~) that during till pieking 1Hliot] (53deg-(J0deg 01 higltel) The first Illriu( ia(s froll 10 days tn 2 (eks or more the second floll1 2 to (eks and the thild lIntil the (IOp is finished
If adult mitrs are introclncrd into a mushroom hOllse at the time of spawnillg tltl1lpelatulr (80 0 F) (he first (lgs laid b thrs( will deshyn~lop into ndllits ill Ipss (hllll tlH 2-((k p(gtIio(l of the spawll Jun (see table 2) bull n lid these wi II l)JoiJa bl Iw omiddoti posi (i ng 1)( [01( til( tPlll peml me is dropped 101 cnsing l[eanhile th( original mihs will Contillue to Iny eggs TI1(se ([qs I ogpt her wit h tl1l fi rst 01lC8 La id b~ t hC s(cond genelation of miles will probably r((llIin abollt i Cpks liS the teJlIshypend lire (hops from 72deg to GOo antllal(I to ))0 within ahout 3 we(is Later WIHIaf iOlls will J(quile III aPIaf(gt of about 2 Illollths Hllowshying spwral days 1)I(gtmipositioJl lJPriotl As shown ill (Hhle a th(~ adult f(lIlale ([pvelopillg UIH[(I l1Iore 01 les Ilormal conditions will slJlTin an ICIng-(gt of moJ( than 5 mont hs at 35 0 and ()IlW win sUJin~ 7 months Adults belong-ing to tlll(gt( 01 1l1OIe gPJlPlntiollR will IhenshyfOIp bp deposiling (g~s al the 8anll I illle III the case of a grower who fills the house but Oll(t a lmiddota I tlJlcl k(pps till tpIl11W1a tll Jl low I he pic-king- period lIIay last frol1lJ (0 (J Illonths and dlJlillg- this tinw there may b( to 01 thr(e additional inc(lIlJpl(te gpnerations lIIaking a tOlal of 10111 OJ five
Some gTOW(IS keep t-lw emprrature at GOdeg 10 GilO F in onlcr to shortell th( picki ng period to a bout 3 month so I ha t a s(Cond crop (an he starl((l In su(h (asps till nlitps will clPplop to Illat IIIit almostmiddot tIlIee ti)]1ls as fast and lay about eight timps as many eggs as at the lowel temperallJlps TlwreioJ( in a Illlllh sJolhr p(gtIi()(1 the population of Illites will Ot(oille mu(h llIger and (ause mort damage
~IlJshloollllllit(s Ilolmally HloP ahout dlll()st (onslantly and since the ef1S arp dlOPIWd h(Ir(I tIll female happens to b( the progress
Ihls Iltrlo] i~ t1HlIllJy spokpll of II) thp g-row(rs liS the hpat Dtllill- th( 1ltIt the compost swtmIS ()ut L (~ IO-- its (lX(pHH muisture nn(l tlHd(lt~(ws n (uring ~1hi1 ll(~int of JJluximulIl Ilt-ut ju~t bpfurc UH nmiddotIIIJi(middotJutlJn~ IWgilll-l to tirol is kllOWll ns the middotmiddotipak Iwut
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
18 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
of 111 inf(station ol1(e estahli~ll(d is fairly ((n tllrol1g11ol1t- tlH 11011e In the wild state ihesC ll1il(~ undouhhdly follo the allle rllll ns do
other 11IitCs and inslcts Iw(olling Ipss abundant in wint(I In tllC mush oom 1101IS(S a Ii i nflst a tion ollee begull Jp(ol11Cf 11I0Ie nol ieeab1e as t he end of til( erogt season a ppoachcs From yla I to ~pa 1 hopCI II(( is a nUlrlnd aiat ion in their nlllllhlI~ prolmbly be(auc opound betler -allilatinll ill ~(lIlH Ylars thall in OtIIIS
socnCES OF IXFE~TATIO~
SillcC lYoplll[lIs lilltlli is (apahll of attl(killg (lrpals all(l as n11 hay sttaW and nlhl organic Illailrials it is ]gtlOhahlp that the mil(s are illl rodluCd into thl 11I11shroom hOllsps ill snlall llIlIl1hprs with eonlposl 110111 inflstNl stahlp~ Jary and ~tapl(y (11) witing of loll[liol r((ord sUell a (asp in England To c1all 7 lilltll()i has not lWlll llO(Ipd Ilonl samplls of eOlllpost nlthough RhizrJ[II)w g
7)hyl1o((I(( Uih n dosely relatld SIlllipsis 1)lCslnt in ahllnltlallCe in thp platiply (001 Olltp lanrs of sOIm (OI11])ost 11eaps The ubiquitoll lIatIIC of the~p mil(s makes it ]llOllIhlt tltat a ftw al( PIeslIII ill alld ahout tltt IlIl1shloCll1l ltollSlS at all tinas ns is plohably Ih (as( witlt Olyripilll[IIiN dOIl(slidls De (it(1 ill (bplling ltollStS (I()) Tn (jill east noted tlH illit ial illfpstalion witltolll 11111lt11 doubt as attlihlltahle to infested chpse blought- into the tOIlSP ill the lilliill of Olll 01 the WOlklllPll and lliscalll~1 tltllt wlwlI fOllnd to (onlain IlIil(s )(all illf(siatiolls 111( ullclouhldly (lilt to Olkll8 eallying tlte mill pound1011
11olls( to 11OIIS 1111 I hlil (101 hillg Hllhhi1t 1yillg- abollt til( nlllShlOllll1 hOlls(s l11a halbol 1I1it(~ whilh alt abl( to lltwl oul- and illflt tlH houses (tl(] lla]i(lll1itls harp IhplI ]p]lolt(d as Pillg eallipd ahollt ill Ihp adllit slagp hr b(ts fli(s alld oth] inslds all(l it is Ipasllllable to ~lIppose that 7liIlIlNi Illig-ill also hl 11m (allild abollt
NXITHL COTROL
CLI~rATIC CODITIOS
rlldpl mllsh]ool1l-hoIlH (olHlitiolls climatic la(lols play liHlp 0] no part ill (fllltrnl of till IllllShlOOll1 millS (X(ppt illofal a 1IlISl partially (olltlol tlw (olldil iOIl of II( n1l1l1llp WWIl it is plalpd ill tltl ItOIlS(
allli tltllpfoJ( I Ill j(Ill)(]atuIP of thp middotltlai It Itas IOllg bplll 1(eOIllshyIlllIHI(d I Itat s]llnt IIIWmiddotItIUOH (Olll]l()sl Ill 111111pd to SIlI1l( ditalHl flOl1l t11l hOllses and splpad thinly 011 tlte oil in o]d(I ttat till (11111(llts might ltetroy as ilia ny as ]lossihlC (If IIt( Illss 1gt](s(nl If tl oi1 is slIflicilllt Iy dlY tnd Illl tplll]l(lat 111 higlt lllollgh 10 hent alld ll]y Ollt tht COI1l])ost tllis ]lIO(PltilIP will IlI1ltiollbtpdly kill many Illiles hilt if dlyillg 0111 i~ 100 IlIlIg dllaYld IIll1n of t hl11l will olk dowll into thl -oil Octl()sky () has -hown thl( TIO(IYIJiIll8 JllfllllaquolIfh( Schlool lplllld pl(ips wOllld not I(lllaill ill ~()il ith onlyW 1)((((111 oj IllOitlll( but (olld slIjP atO IllntIIL and that soil at TO IHL(Pl1t 0-1 1l10isiIII( (olltailHd 1I1(l~( IllitlC III -ain s]ltWII Illites wele fotlllli to plej( a (jl)-Pl(Pllt Illoisl lin dry-pight hafis
If (Om post i- 1lII11(lt1 frolll I Ill 11lW-llloOIll hOllsls in the winter alld I)INIc onI IIll -oil fIPllin- will kill gl(tI 111I1ll1)(ls of Ihe Illill lliill~kI~t 11 f) has fOllnd I hat TIo[lypilis ilttnR((lIti(f( alld
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
THE liUSHROOnI MITE A PEST OF CULllATED ~lUSHHOO2IS 19
1 alinae were ablp h) sllITiw jllP winprill Rllssia ill fall-sowl1 gmill going illto a torpid statp hut he(OI11illg wtip aaill ill tllP splillg Theltc lllilsltoY(middotpl CIt UI1(iP1 lh( slIlfan of thp soil hpll they n~I( partially Plo(((((1 Expprinullts ha( sllO1l tllat if siwilt (olllshy
postis lxpospd to fr((gtzillg tht stIaill of Illitps flol11 the IlI11SIIIOOIll housps lieil1 IIHHP 01 hmiddotss (ollditiol1(d to a tpIIlP(IIilll( of lj- FOI aboe will (IY shortly be(olll( nlOtiolllpss alld 1(lllaill so If ktpt tIOZl1) 101 flom i) to i days (j(111 p(rl 1111( ahollt 3(l 01 lw]o) lIy few of the mitps INOYCI This is (ompalable to spleadillg spclll (Ulnshyposl Oil 1lozPIl ~T()11I1(1 or Oll t IIp SIlO
Thlowill (1)(11 t-IH hOlls(s alld a 1I00ill i Ill III U 1I 110 II I Iwd (0 flPlze solid fOI a w(pk 01 IllOl( dlllill SpPI Iltll(I is said hr glOWlI- who han tli(d it to kill t gnat IliallY Plsts tlld to illi()Jat( [hI spawlI to sol1ll (middotxtel1t
DIlli II f hI j- i1lIl t lla i lIP IlIlISh (lOll I hOllsps 111 PIli pi a lid nilIll a Ii (I they hnp IN1l (laI1P(1 Illites Iliay hI (t knst paltly ((1I11101IId by k(ppillg tile houses as dryas possihlf A((oldill til ()hOIlSiPI (m) lH1l 7j fllI((llt I(latip hUlllidify is Illlfa(JIablp to lyloglypllit1mitcs alld most of helll ltlie with ill 2 hOllls al j-I lWI(LlIi hllIllidity
NATUHAL EXEnl~S
011 tht wholt Ill((lilols do not IHlJilldly play all impoliallt palt in (on I 1(11 of llIittmiddots in mllshroolll 1IOIlS-~lih) 01 thl famil (alllasidal (Ialaitidal) 11( flICpIPlltly abllndallt ill (OIlIPO-t pih and in IlllllIOIlIlI lIollS(middot and han 1(p(Iipdlr blPII Ob-IIYtd 10 lllluk millS alll plillmiddottlil- III Hlissia 11Iit(s of ilip glllll- (711118 han )e(11 noted as atta(kill othlI litl prohailly til -pl(il- of TlroshyqllI(~ wliitll (1( PIlSPllt ill -tOI(( glain (1)) III EIlpIlIHl Chorshyky () IlHlltillllld all Illlllanl(l ((Ill ipldl pI(yill UpOIl lIIloIIIIIUt III(OOi I(P II )IIl fhl staphylinid IHd 1lt Alh)( Iilflilli((( BllIh was obs(J(d by Thol1las ( n I((dill UpOIl lllitl- of tIll 1l1lltiS TaW)(1Ii1f8 alit tlwY loilld probably atia(k TIIIOpIrI(IIS dfl Allshy0(1lt1 b((Ue CIUu sp wa- -(l1 aUa(kill~ mittmiddots at AIlilltOIl Falm Va (3)
COTROL BY SA~ITATrON
Tlip (0 III III 0 II lUlUid mil(- alC most (liflklllt to ()llfTO fllllll(I)l(-O(llt lllllmlJly tllP lliosl tllbbolll Illt- 01 lII1tinlipd 1lIIISIiIOOIlIS TI10 plshy[If~ lilliilri ill pallieular is (apabll of -llni-ill a willt lall~lIf 111llshy
lllratUl( 1lllmidity and foot (ollditions alld is di(Jjelilt to kill by ()Idillar fUlllilUl(S [n atllnlpis at till Imdieat iOll (ff IWs tiltmiddot 1l111s1ishyIoom g1(WI is halllfHIpd by tilL fld 1111 III11SI ill-idi(idls JII( slllll fUllui(iltlnl (11middot( a 1-0 illt tlllist ll( lIs(d with (lilt ion o lIot I( all On the otl1(I halld as Lalllbpt (In J(lllllks liklt I hI [TI(nhllll-l1 mall he find- it 1llIpflli to hI 1l1J1t to (ontrol his llllinIH I t Iw llilISIIshyIoom houspound1 ill PJ(JgIlIIlS of 1Ildi(dion and (X(lisiOll and quitp poundIIe11 ill to 1)( abJp i 0 do s(lllllth i ng abollt tll( lat Iwl
It i-i i h~Icfole ea-i(I to PIIPII t t 11( dpplopIIIlliI () I ani n fl~t dion ilIllll it ig to lOlltroJ OIlP afl(I it lltlabliII(ll ltll(l hmiddotgiclIl i- hy ill tlH IllOst Importani llHi hud of Illite (0111 ll 11 I llotlltPlbl( that in l11u-hlooll1 hOIlSlj wlHlt slllital) rIllaSlIl(s han blllI pllcti((l1 a~
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
20 lECHXICAL BULLETIN BiJ U S DEPT OF AGRICULTUHE
a routine for sen~lal yeals mitcs havc been absent or so few as to be un impOlmiddotta nt
Sanitation ~holld lwgin in the stab1s 11(1( thc mlnurc for mushshyroom produllion is obtained as this will aid in Illite (ontro herc litter and manllLc ale all()lc to nCClIllIlIlate a mite population may build up rapidly It lllalllllP flom su(il a stable i- not earcfully COII
potecl ancl hpatNI ellough mitli llIay iulin to initiutc all inflstation in till beds aftel they all Spalll(l If til( ntanull i~ to be itoled fot any rcat lenth of tillH it is especially impoltant that it be as frce frolll mites as posilJle as (Ntaill lay(J~ of stoJlP lwaps (llrel ideal condit ions 101 nlitp dp(lopnwnt and i I the mil l- an able toin(lelse greatly in numbcrs thlY arl liablc to infpst tlw wholt pllmisl-
IIllIllldiatlly aftel (itt (middot01l1]gtOt i~ put illtn tl( hOlls(s tlw (omposting floor hould bl ((antr1 all IWIIlUn alld JublJi-h nlIlold and the surshyfact 1115(11]gt((1 A wpek OJ 10 day~ Iwfolp llw I(llipt o~r Ill IIlltll1111C til(gt foolshonld be cllel1cheltl withl ()Iutioll of 1 allonllffolmaldpttie to 50 galion of at(gtI 01 wit h bnilld linH-lIl hi I at 1 galloll to 10 galshylOll of waUI TIt( lallt1 is the rnot tfrpdin of litt two nWlin~L mitts 111( flool should hl allo((l to dn lnd ail fOI2 01 4 davci IIpiOIl t1( l111nllll i placed UpOIl it bull
It- has )Nn holll1 (1) hi) t hat in thr Plng( Il1I1hl()om cOll1pot hcap Ilwle a 1( foul llllS Iljll(pntin fOlll diflplIlIt sets of con(litiol1s of I(1l11wlat Ul( lI1oistmC and a(gtlation TIll out(1 Iwlr of itOI1l 2 to 6 illclws is 1(111 iply eool alld lIY h(Ila8 till JOIIll (pllhl is W(t uut rclat idy (001 all(l (olltains Lit Il or no ()xygln Th(gt other two arca~ (olll])Jiin Oel half tlw IWlp hal tlllllgtPllltun of ()Ipr laoo
F-too hot for illcets 01 mitls to Sllllil( It is important thlll that Ill( 1111I1IIIC in thC Ollt (I 1111 and 111( 10(1 ((l1tlt of II( lwap 1)( thrown to tlH in~id( of thet(lj) at (I cit tUlning not only to hasten and iillpll( compotin but to ill~ul( 11tlt dtlth of UIY ptits that 1111) ue prpspnt
1111 l(moal of compost of Ih( PI((c(lin crop tl1(gt hr(] bomls sholll(l 1)(gt IIlS1H(1 01 scnqwd nnd )11II(l ((all and all dirt and luhlJit should be removed from thc hous( About ~ ppk- blforl fillill Ill( hOlm Is alld tilt inttriol of til( 10111 holll(l be sptayed Iitlt )oihc11ill1t-SlIlful 1 gallol1 to 10 gallon of Yalllmiddot This spraying p1iminal( tlly ill-((( llIitp or (Iipaps that lI1ight hal( slIrvitd in till housl flonl the ]lr(((ding Crn])
OIl(C beglIn tlw fillill of l mushroom hon-e holllrl ])( complehd rapi(riy so that I~ liltltgt l Ihl~ibl( of t1w lat(nt hNlt of ilw (Oll1r)()~t be lost Afk til( IWII(is 1i1ll(I and tl1lt ltloolS tihtll C]OIltl tilt process of pnt ing Ollt 1I(ins U(llIt lXI)(gtIillll~nts hae shown Illnt this i po-ibly (hl most illl]Joltl1l1 palt of tilt ordinal pro(pdlln of IlllIshroom growing Dllring Ilw ~(OI(ltIy fllnlPnlatinn of tIt( (OIH])Ost tlw flnl]llnl(III within tltp IIIIIShro()1l h01~c rises markNlly
vmo awI a n a ttllll pt is llIa(l( to 1111 i nfai n th is t Pllllwrtlllrl a bOl F hilt h(lo l()O for 7 to ]() days not on1 to 1(IHlpr h( compot mo1( flIoablP for IlIllShlOOll1 growing bllt to kill any ]lPt thatmiddot llIiht have Sllllill(j the (olllposting Ol 11((n int r()(u(pd into tlw (OIII])OS aft 11 the last tn Ill inl
E1cdril fans 11( cnstomnrily 1lIn in till hOlIS( ltlllrillr tIl( hpatinO IWliod to ditriblltc (J1l 1I(lt nior(~ ppllly If tit(S( al())]Il(l in th~ top of thc hOllse so thaI the air will be thi(11 duwnwHrd the blast of
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
THE llUSHHOOlvI MITE A PEST OF CULTIYATED lUSHROOMS 21
warm ail will raise the tcmpCIatule of til( floor n few degrees (this js imJ)oltn nt as tilt floor iH Usua II) com pa Ia ti nl) ((JOI-IlOt owr 11 ao F jn allY house tcstcll to elate) This posil ion of the iilllS will k((p (hem out of the way aJld during fUllIigation with iJydJo(yanic fleid gas the OIlClltion of the fallS ~ill padially ])I(pnt til(gt tendlIlC of this gas tmiddoto ]ea~e the floor The fallS 13110111lt1 be IPlllOed from the hou~e lHJwshycn~r c1u ri ng fum iga lion ith sulflll cl ioxitie as th is gaH corrodes 11leta Is
It is custolHary to iullligutp til( ltOIIS(gt wllPn Iwak lwat- has bepn Ipached i e when tl]( tplIllXIattllc lias lcaehed it highest point and hgins to drop If 1Ioc(gt[ the house is so constllIeeel that it must 1)( opened to pl(gt(nt on~r1)(flting and cOllseqlllnl fire iunging of the lOlllPOSt fumigation is done bdole the hrnp(gtlatil Ie (x((gtds 1-10 F
Splnt compost should be haliled IltJ a place SOIlW distance hom tll( l11ushlOOlIl hOUlt(gtB fOl disposal (13(( p IS) al1d should J1C~(r b( spIpad on land flom whi(hit is intpnd(d to tnkp easil1 soil 101 slIlJsPlt[lllnt (ops Althougll flw flitS SlllTivp ill hCap of SPlllt (ornpost Illites and lpliilgtails 1rlP bpell fOlll1d in SOllle nlllllbpls ill pilts Idt adjacPl1t to lllwl) fillNlllOlIStS Jpaps uf Bpellt compot harbor gtllllS and SPOlts of 1I111Sh 1011111 d ispasps a Iso
flIp floors 01 nlllsitrOOI1l 110IIsPs shoilid 1)( (pt c]lnn at all til11lts ill (l(ltr to a rlorrl Bhllter to as flw mites as pOBsiblp ~I()t lllOdlln hOlls ha l [iOOlS of (oIH(I w h ieh n11 IIIll(h l1Iol( pasi I) kept c1lH n tha 1
an dilt floorB Old manuI( lllbbish 01 -claps of IlIllIblI shollid 11((1
begt allowpd to lie allollt tlip II I1lsh rOOIl1 JlOlISlS SllCh mattriaL lsIWlit1ly in damp potB olllls tile b(st pll(lgtS or Iefllge to mitls and prillgtuib al1d lIIay l(gta( totllt il1fPstatiol1 o[ an adjt(Pllt hOIlSl
All (((Is alld tH(llllllllatld letl(s and trash should lw 11l11onclfor sOllH distallcP t1Iollll1 bllildills alld 111 blltt diseallpd IllW hloonls and OJI(I slI(h leiIiBe should h( pit(ld ill a pit nll(l conI(d with lillie flr oil-liot 111lIpl) dUl11ped outside the houses where the l)psts maybreed UIl(l istuJbed
CONTROL BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Stultlips 011 ch(llIical tleatl1l(l1ts (1( blgun wit h tillt kllOwl((l~( tlllt thl IllllSh1oo))) mitc 11(1 lllnil(l spleies wele (Iiflkillt to kill SII 1111 I fllllligatioll fOl U hours ealboll disulfidl and tlllp(lltilH had bp(11
tried to no avail ~rushonm mitls hrye slIlVind illlJ))PIsi(J1I in Ill-pCIshy(ent potassillm l1ydloxiltil 101 80 Illilllltps and in l)gt-pll((nt alcohol 10 ~gt minlltes Eales (8) rccords haying kppt lYl()lyphlls ollqiv)in i-pll(pnt fOlmalin for Ol1 fI (plc at tl)(l end of hieh tillie many W(le sliH nlive Sp((inlPl1s of this s]wcies have pass((l thlOugh (lip hlllllHll alinlllIlarY tlld ilin Odagaki (()) -a~S that -OII1P inshydiidllal- of RMzOflypllllB (chilopliS F and R n lelnt(d spp(i(B SUIshy
i(d lJH O F fot 1 hOlll Jalvis (U) Iceonl tlint a flll1liglItioll witlt 24 Ollll(es of lyanidc (plesumably sodium cyanide 01 potasSill11l cyashynide) 1)(1 10()() cuiJi( fed in a houslgthold fnilpd to kill all individuaL of T lOllqio but whlll leIWah(l with 32 OI11)((S P1 LOOD cuhic feet 110 living IlIit(s could IJl fOllnd The OIllL of the II01IS( latel 11shy
poded hOPPl t ha I a iw wen st i II pIeficnt A lllW 1111l11blI of Inslet ieilles Inlc blcn triedli flll1li~al1tR drll1chps
nnd dusts jn attel1lpts to cont1ol mitcs in vtlrjou itnntiolls
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
l
22 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGHICULTUHE
FmnGATION AT PEAK HEAT
The tlwory in fn1l1i~al ion nt l)(ak helt is thnt prsts thai have Slll shy
in(l till hrat uJl to thai tilll( will hnvp hN1l dliPIl Ollt of till lOInpost to SOlllr place wlllle tlHY (all br Ipa(hrd and killrd hy tilt flllni~ant The fllllliants an nlso I II 0 Il ljll(Un al hih tllI1pelalures Either hydrocyanie-acicl ns or SUliIII dioxide is II(I(
Hydrocyanie acirt as may 1Jt llIlIated in seyernl ways but the lw-t all things eonsiltitlcll is thc pot IIlrthod UI-ill not Ilss than H OUJl(PS of sodiunl eyanidl 12 fillid (IIIII(PS ojulfuri( aeitl laquo(HjO Ballln-) nnd Hj flllitl ounccs of watel 1)(1 1000 (lliJil fllt (middotnmiddot III lxpelillwnts with eyanide fltrlliation undel 1I11JshloOIll-hollsr eonditiollsit was l011 lid (i) that mitts ill a fllllliation ehambrr brouht frolll 75deg or HOC to WOo F (abollt tillt IClIlp(latlllp on lilt flool of 1111ls111())1I 11011se[ dlllin tlIP lllat) in from (j to 8 hOllls 1wlt at 100deg for 7 10 ) 1101l1S
and 111111 ittd wi til hyd IOlya ni( acid gas WIP ki 11rr hy a coIlC(Ilshytration llaehin iHi IlIg ptI liter with a mean of 167 mg and reqlliling --1middot IIlillutrs 10 dlop to 0 Ill Illr liter
Sulfur dioxide as i tlHratp(l by hlllllill a good wade of flowlrs of sllifllr ill allY OIH of [((ral dif1llnt ways (j o and 7) In ulfllr fllllliatioll it waf i01I11ltl U) thai milrs w(( killt(l in t1lC iUlIliation challlhlr at lW F alld no pllllnt relltin hlll1lillity h~ a (ollllntratioll oJ nbollt (j IIlg pCr liter with a nwan of abollt 3H Ill and rlqllirin about ji Illinutp to drop to i 111 plr littl rnltlpr the condit ions found ill I1l1lShrOOlIl hOIISlS bettln fillins (TO-HO and l-iO to )() IWI((l1t rllatin hlllllidity) COIlllntTatiolls of Jer 10 Ill JllI liter mCn n([l~~ary to obtain (Ollt rol of mites
In exp(Ii 111(11 ts ill llIush rool1l hOllsPS II twa k llta tit Yl~ ioll nlt1 yery ltlillieult to bllrn sldfm fast lnollh to obtain a 100-lwreent 1rthl1 (onc(lltTntioll b((lllse of the rlpil1 nbsorptioll of tite ~as by titC llloistlHl withill thl hOllse III ilIlllialioll with hy(lIO(Ylnie Heicl 1 tht abRorptioll of the ~ns is abollt IS rapid as with 1dilIr fllllifashyIIOIl bllt a larl -uillme 0+ thl gll JIlily be gPIICratell fastel reiiultmg in high peak lOllcelltratiolls -
FIIlGANTS TESTED
The Illor( i III port a nt of the fUlJligants triC(1 were as follows ~[etll~-I ialilylateAlllll1C1l1ia gtlt Naphlht 1(gt11(et rhOil ltlisullilll Nit-ol illP (it hpr lJurllPLl HS a slIIudge(arholl Ictrwhlllridl
or hoil d off(middothlolmiddotopi(-rin Ort 11011 ich lortll )(ltz(lIeElhylpll( dichloride 1a radicmiddothlorolllIIZllIe1middottmiddothylpll( llioxidc P~TillililFonntlill Sulfur dioxidpHpxtclllo)lwi ht n( lptTa hyd rOIltvlt i ha IplI(
1I~dr()(Y1I1ie wid gas Tridlll)rotlh~I(II
~I(lhyl blOtnitle
Of Ihrfc middottllllipInt~ hYlll()Cynnic acid as is tlH~ OIH most lIsl(l ill lllsh lOOIl I tolps It will illjulP 1lillShloolls if IIStlt1 ill dusalii all ullicipnt to kill IIlitts alld is tlllllfol( I~(lr1 befolC pawll if illllo- WI dl((( and hill the hOllS is at plak llaL -IfUI dioxidp is also tfllctin~ at this tinH bllt it ]ikcwi~( eallllot be mwd whrll IIlshrooms ale prciiIIlL Fllllligatioll at ppnk hpat with thcsc two matcriaii was diSCllssed in the fOl(going SletiOIl
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
THE MUSHROOM MITE A PEST OF CULTnATED ilUSHROOMS 23
NicoLine is wed as a snJlHlge to some extpM but it ki lis irw mites and it rtsidts in tlte absorption of considerable quantities of nicotine bv th( mushrooms
Paladiehlolobenz(gtne is sonwtimes IIselt1 fol mitr (on(o1 Capsar (1) )(gt(0111111(1](15 11h to 2 pounds )(1 400 squale fppt of bpd space sprinkled OYCI til( well-dried bpts the lH)uSP to lw 1ightly clOSld for -18 hOlllS and tllis (J(ntnllllt to b(gt llpeatl(1 aftcr 10 days Splpalling muslin 0(1 th(gt inflstNl pOItiuns of tltl blltiR blt)adlas(ing 11ll Jl1Hshy
t(rinl o(~l this and cOYlling the whole wil h 1f(Spl(lPIS for Sl(I11
days has n Iso bl(n 1((OIHllllII(Pfl Onl a fl mil(s wert kill(d and nlllshroollis wel( dllllngld 111(11 (XPOSllaquo fol JH ltOlllS to 1 pound of parat1ichlolob(llzlll( 1)lI 1000 (lIbil i(lpf of airspace TIlt lJlashytplial was enpolah(I by SI[(adin IL shallo la~(1 in a tmy bdolc an ei((tric fan ~pan was apparllItly injllJ(d also as tlte npxt flush of ll111shlooll1s as a ((k 01 nJOIC lttt in nPPclllill
Rlad (J) nollS thaI lIIit(s (t( lontlOll(d in S)II11((1 uneasN1 Jllushroom beds by llsing naphthaltl1( at Ihe Iate of 4 OltlllPS jllL
1000 (lillie i(pt of ail spa(( lloinjJlIY to tltl spawlJ ltslttilJ He l((OIll11(IHls thaI it be S(a ItNt in (h( a [[(a y bpI W((lll Husllls PYIiclilP IJls inn txt(lhl1t l(slllls ill till 11 Jo)a tOIY but its odor is pxtnIlIPly objlelionable ilnd lating in nlllsltlO()ill Iousp 1rttltyl blomi([( must be uspd at tIll Iah of ~ P()llllt j(l 1000 (llbi( fltt of air spate to control IlIilp alld thi- dost( dtlllagtS th( spnn badly lioltl1alin is of lilll 111)( aainsl mitps and kills till lllusllshyroon Of the ot Illr 11 illl i~n 111 s Iistld Ron Il a IP too lxpCllsi t 01 too dnng(IOllS to ltSP othcls dalll( tilt IlJlIsltlOOtllS alld spaWll and tl
jchap not blelJ in UH PllOllglt to b( (If (tllaiJl alue FUlIliants as a rule do lIot ptlI(tlall illlo the lI11IShlllOlll beds fat enough to kill mites within I he (om po
INSECTICIDAL DUSTS Aim DRENCHES
The foUc)illf mattlin Is W(Il tfstNl pither as sprays or drpl1el1Cs or as dusts for the~olltrol of lIlllshroom mites
IIJ1IlI)JIin SOIUtiUII Xi(oiillC (1I(p) Anilino Xitoiill( hllllollitC Borax Ni(Of i ne lwnl (n rl)olic acid -itOI illl sultatp ulutinn and l)nls (IIhon disnllWI pUle in pnlulsion Oils oil llllllsiuIlS ilnd uil-l)lIsl ill shy
nnt lllixltl with )Jlphlhnl(n( s( ili tllR en listie pOlish 01 soda 1h(lIol hiazilH ( h 101n1 hd ra te III(II()XJ 1h i i II (1Ilolide of lilllo 1-1 hcnm IZil-2-nl ph th~Jn III inc CI(loote 1111 hnlil gIY(II1 alkld llsill (psol (shep dip) 11I(lhllllll exlllltt in lIusts alld in ])plIis Me extmcts nnd dusts middotdllIc1lPs Di(hl(liolih~l (t1HI PSIl lintm powd(I Dinit lo-O-(~(1()h(x~J 11111101 Qllassia l4-DiuitLosollipelazinc 8nlt ll1d HnJt SOluliolls l~olllialin Soap olntioll GasOlilC Sulf(llUltCll Lorol H(llpiJ(lJo SnlfuJ 1((Iocno Jl1 ill(yaml tc )Inle feln extract loilw(1) [lOwlpr ~Ipthyl alcohol TlllllllIl iIII Methyl Sa Ii (yin te 1 A IlIoPita pllgtparation of nn oil~ nutlllgt contuining nn organic nlio(~aJlate the
cOIIIPusition vf which i~ 11111 knolllI
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
24 TECHXICAL BULLETIN 870 U S DEPT OF AGIUCULTURE
As eontrols for mi(Cs ill mllshroolll hOllses most of these materials may )C elilllillah(1 at ollce AltllOUrh oils of -ariou types han lJlen mied sll(c(ssfully they nre (0 w aoided as continued lIse of oils or oil-baH i llSt ieilti(s (Cnllrt lly leads to troll bII in the form of ddollllCd a nl ClaekCd mush 10011 IS Th is a pplies to the t h ioeya na tC preparation as wC11 as to the cOlmne]cial fly sprays Dllli 11usts and pxtracts inshyjllre fll( spawll as doCs (aJi)oll clilllfiltlein any 101111 or (ol1llJinatioll Ill laUC] matprial is llllsa-te t-cl use hCcallse of tlw fire and explosion hazard ilHohed Of the remaindCI~ carbolic aei(l (I(gtoso(C cl(sol and forrnaldphy(C kill tht S])nl1 SOI11C slleh as anililw an too poisonous to Ill Iled a fCly by th( anragp rIOWPI and others sllch as hellebore are of littlp or 110 yt1Ilt arainst Init( flU yilld of IlInshloolns was reshydu(ld by the IlS( of phlllOxa til i i n lxtrad of th Ilnc1Irgod vine) ch loral hydrate lIlale fC1I1 IxtJaet l-plwnylazo-2-nnphthylllnine alld the two dillitlo complltlltc1s 1ist(gt(1 Of the YariOllS matprials tested to dnte ollly nieot iIH P)IPthllllll Illtthyl snlieylale and dichloroethyl (01(1 11a-c gi(~n good IlSltltS
TIH lltl of n ieoti IH as 1(1)1((0 pow(lel (1 ]1CI(plii of n iroti n() 111 iXI(l with the (Ol1lpost at the Iatl of (j to 10 Ollllces 1)(1 bllshrl before it is put ill the hOllse has ginn a t1pfillitp iIHl(ae in yield nlthough in the Iabolai(lIY IItitls feed flPply on such cornpost and on that which has bCIn Illixld with nicotil1 blntonite olnicotine l)(aL Nieotinc preparashyt iOlls appl illl as (IllS are ofl ittll va luI agai nsf mites Nieotin( Slllfa tl 1 palt of the to-]1elcPllt stTlllgth to 10 01 ~o parts of watel has blpn llSl(l by nnw gJ()YPIs with fail SlI((CSS for contlOl of mites in 1111 (a 5(lt1
I11tlSIIJ()()111 l)(ds On ploltilleing 11111shlOOl1l 1)(gtlt1s flce nicotine (10 PPIshy(Illt)l pal to GOO plrtS of water applied once each weck at thelateof 1 f]lmrt to 12 squal( flpt of Iwd spl(e by means of a 1)Jinklillg (In gl e n d(fin ite i Il(letlse in yip1d in spite oHhe i~act that n ieoti ne bping a mild flll1ieide l(tlr(kc1 till I()wth of the l11yeplilll11 and did not in a ol)(l kill of mitcs in tl1( laholalory Thitrpatnwnt eannot )p lp(oI1111wnde(1 a HII the 11l1lthroolll Illds lpgin prodtwing as the mushmiddot loolllS Ilk( up tile lliCotine
n nlc()holi( extTad of p)lCthrlll1l (ontaining 2 1)(I(ent of total ]lYllthlins diluted 1 part to 800 parts of water and applied in the sin1 mIIlIlt1 as lIi(otinl gun a gnalel increase in yilld than did Ilicot ill( 110 dalllaw was dOlle to the S])Hwn and as this matelial is 1(latinlv 1lall1ltss to COI1tIIl1HIS possible poisolling is not a fadm ill its usc Pyrethrul1l l1S(t1 in this fashion kills relatively few mites but SPIntS to aet as a lllwlllnt In the laholatolY spawn 0 tnated was Il(allv frN ()f mit(s within 2 hours
Di(hloJ(wthyl (thel and wII(1 (1 luG) (Illtrsifild with gum aIa hie alld a ppl i(d as a (1 rtnlh as clesCliJld aboe fOl lliCot i ne kil1NI a high IWI(entage of Illites in mushroom be(ls amI did not reduce the yield of mushlool1ls Rimilal Itstrts well obt ainl(1 with methyl salishy(y1atp alld yalltI (1 liOO) Fult 11(gt1 stlH1ies should be made with each or these materiah
CONTROL BY THERMAL TREATMENTS
Thermal tlentnwllts in(lu(h the uSP of l)oi1ing wah] flame or lin ~t(alll Boilin wah is uSld tiS nil 1llIelellC tTlatlllPllt Oil bearill 11IUshll)()ltl b((I l)(tweell flushes The b(lls sliollld )C allowl to (rr
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
THE MUSHHOOjI lnn~ A PEST OF CLLTlYTED 2USHnOOIS 25
out SOIl1Phat the boiling walp) appliP(1 IlIlt il tIl( (a~ill soil is mlI Honked I1m1 the beds Hain alloW(d to dry Ollt to til( PJOPPl dlIPC of moisture This tJcatIlHII( kills onh the mites Oil the hpil slda(( and in the Yery top layer of tlw etsillg s()il sin(( only the lIppPJ OIw-follJth Or one-(ihth inch i hCated to lethal tpllIltal lIJe So appnJ(lIt hal1I1 is donp the HpaWl1 by thi tllatlll(nt
In SInre 1nftstations flalllt from a hl()tolllt j --()IIIlliIllIS played rapidly 0(1 tilt slIrfn(p of 1Iw I)(cls b(twecll flIISJlS This IlpatlllPnt also kills only the llIitls Oil til( sulfacC
ith tlH list 01 1in st pam n10 on ly III itts Oil IllplI daC( of the (lsi ng soil an killCcl Enn to obtain this kill tile sleallllllllst be applipd tlIHICl (onsitpalgtlc )))()NIIC
LTTERATURE CITED (1) (IESR L
Ill 11111ll(IHOIOIlENZI-m IS A COgtTHOI Hilt T1H~)Sfll(()()~1 1IITI Oil tillio Ell Sol 1111 Hpi (Ill) I jT 17 1gt
(2) (OltLEY J K Jll1 I HEtI PESS IW )IISIIIOf)~lli 1111 If FIlIi (11111 FruitlII
Flolist Jnd ~1Jlkp( (11(1 )1 tjmiddotI-middottili illm (3) l)V1s A C
10H NflTI ION I~SE(TS FOl~gt1l IX flSIIIO()~r HOtSIS r11 Ell SOl 110( ~n (jl
(4) --- 111(1 (LIOHgt H y JlI3i CYANIE T~(InITION OF ItSIlIlIllt ~I 1I1ISIS r S ])(111 gl
(it ltH 10 llP illm (j) --- lncJ YtHNGH n
113middot1 SlLloTR InII(JTIOS OF ~1l~I1Il()mr llOlSI- JOlll E(lII 1~1It 27 1 R-ji illn
(6) ---- 1nd YHxn I L D IUaIS 1lIIOn1l SIIIiI1 11gt F(H~IIoIrnO~1 IIlWI lT~IIITn
~ Bul Ent lnd Plant QUJI E-l 2 pp illns fIlo((ltl1(T) --- fIIHl YOlXG H J)
1liB (1111 IIIIIIII()~ 101 Till (1=1101 OF ~I nIII(JO~1 lfSTs lou I JolOll Eill 2 4)-middotlfj iii
(S) ELEH N R lU17 111-1 STOIY ANIJ I(()X~IY OF 11110 (HEESE ~11IES IIn Pl)1 Billi
-I Kmiddotl (I)) TG H Eo and Nsllll~r H E R
1J I O~[lo XI)TES ox IIIE IIXO()~IY OF (11 IX IITES ((110 X 1(11111)11gt
FOIlMERIS TImKllYIU 1IlE l Hill SOl 1111 IlIIt i 121 1-l (10) EOHA A ~1
101-1 ON Ilig IIIUrO(lY OF T11~ ~llm (ITY(YIIl(WS f)OIIISTHIS Ill] mElt (TYIOOIYPIIJ[)[ CmiddotII11NII Ann ppl BioI ] -IR3--lncl
(11) TrT1NSKIY L J)3) ox nlE SIHIIIAI (W ST0111n fillAIX 1IlIFS TJlH01C1I TTIE IINnll IX Tille
FIELD (OoIII1IONS rLIIIin-Tad I 1111 ZJslrlll Hrst (Llnill Atrd Atl Ii L S S I Til Ilalll lIlpeL) (IIII IIOllt I I shy]2 [Tn Husial1 Ahl1rltt in 1([1 Appl Ellt (AI -I -0Jna61
(12) JARVIS T n Jf)(lti PH(I1(r ANO IOPtI11( NT(l~1010y NO li ~llnfi IFFE(-IIX(l JoAB~[
1I()~1 rSTIII)S I III1d Ell as aJ-middotmiddotll (13) TARY ~ n Hnd SIAIL1IT r H
]037 INnSTI(llllll~ 0gt THE I~~~(I II IfJfEll PESTs OJ (IITI ITEII ~I JSH nnOIS-TX IYUO()IYlurs ])LllTllIAITS nDL IIOX(OlOI() G1el( IOutlrtISI g-I (01 lOlli -10 ] 1)-1[) illll
(14) rA~1 IIImT R n
]laS 11tI( IP1ES XV 11l0B1IMS Ol ]llSHIO(UI elLITRI Bor Re 4 3J7-l6
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
26 TECEXICAL BULLETIX 879 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
(15) LllmRT B B and DAISbullbull (J)4 1l1~lllBlTlOX 0 oxwax XIl (IWOX DIOXIPE IX ~llSIJIlOO~1 CO~IPOT
1IS S AFFE(TIXG ~11(Il()BII TIlEIDOGU-I ACIIJITY A-m ~101TIHE Tl1ImmiddotIX J(H1r Agl 11e 4~ uKT-GOl illn
(lUI ~II(XIX ~I 1~T3 ))1011 XTI)IIQlg ET ZOOU)H1II stll 1X XOII (IIImiddotX Dr ]~
~~lILIE DES SlICllITII)ES IE TYHOGIYPIHS 1l0SIlmSEHHTlS sen SO IIYIOIS Jollr (Ie rAllat lt de In lhYiol l1ali] 9 [3GlImiddotmiddot~S ill tiS
(IT) ~II(HtI D 1SS- hIE Hnopn QlfHIOX Ol~ Ill lsn1i ISTOIlY 01 crIlTAIN CAIlIX
Linll Soc London Jour Zool 17 3T1-~l- ilIu (18)
Jll1 -1 903 HIlITISH TYIOGlYPIHIlH 2 y illll LOllllolI (101 ()Jl(lIsnH H
199l BImiddotITItXm Zeit BIOL()(n rXI) Aro~[JE mH OllXCNG~IILBEX ~I()nog bullnglw EIII G [)1 ]-WG illu
(O) Oll( 11 S lDl) HIIYZOGIYlltlmiddotS El BINOll rT~r OX IIIY urtlIS ~()iilmilyomiddotShilmiddotY()
lT Ins lin lavallPgtp Ahllact ill UPmiddot Appl Ell (A I 2T GIT 1J8lJ
(l) OSI101-I H lS1t N~IlTt INFECTING ~ITSHHomr- ~lien(e 22 ~60 iIIus
(2) OsTHomiddotKY X 1 1J8T E~FE(T OF SOil )Olsnm O~ TBE 1~~1lEH --Ill tlEELOP~nNT OF
STOHEIlOlsF )11 I I-S III lIl1llllll of Ihe ~ltillItilic HpPHIlh 011 of 11ll ]ntitlljp of Plallt 1Iull(middottion for tlH Ylar JOau Pt I 1P ali(I tlilHl~ of llIllI llIcl hpllllmiddotbclll flP1--16 L(II ingllIll [Ill Huilll ElIglilh liill]
(28l HI-I) I H 1l8S gtI) IfST~ I IN~Imiddot(T(middotIJH 11111 InrI ~Ialk(t (lI(1 lnclus
Dlplujl SO( LilllitPd EX1t all( Itt 81H AIlII It]l (1nlT I 3 Ol-tii
(241 THO) ( A 1111 TBE 1)1-1 AllITED WITII EDIIH HGI Y Ellt SOl
Jour -IT 11-8T (2) OIOCIl1CK Y
l)jU )lITEH FOIII IN 0I1E1l tltIgt Igt THE (tDIEA [Lpningladl ]11( ZmIHIt Ita (Llnill A(I(1 gl Sli 1 S ~ H III~t Plant 11(11 pet I 110111 I lloll(middot I-cmiddot s 1ijmiddot-ll)0 I rIn RUian EngshyIih nll1nlur 1) ]50 Ahlra(( Up A11Vl Ent tAJ 2 ]amiddotI miT]
us middotGOEIHYr~r PRINTING OFnCE 19
bull
bull
