Abstract
For chemical control of the sciarid fly, Lycoriella mali (Fitch), attacking the commercial mushroom crop only methoprene or malathion can be used as a treatment of the casing. Twenty-four chemicals were evaluated to find more effective materials and to determine lengths of activity and effects on a mushroom crop when used in commercial conditions. The LD95 of the more effective materials, based on ppm of dry weight of casing, was chlorpyrifos-56, diflubenzuron-120, dimethoate-88, ethoprop-81, methoprene-104, and SIR 8514-5. Methoprene, diflubenzuron, and SIR 8514 did not reduce yields as casing treatments whereas chlorpyrifos and ethoprop did. Diflubenzuron and SIR 8514 when used at several times efficacious dosages had no deleterious effect on mushroom yield. A treatment of the casing with diflubenzuron or SIR 8514 should eliminate fly infestations from the casing for the entire cropping period.

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