Michael Wolfin’s war on flies
Phorid and sciarid flies are not just unwelcome visitors on mushroom farms, they are persistent invaders whose impacts can be devastating.
Michael Wolfin is not your everyday entomologist. Driven by a passion for problem-solving since graduating, he found his way to Pennsylvania’s mushroom farms, where fly infestations pose ongoing and significant challenges.
Phorid fly larvae feed directly on the growing mushroom mycelium, whereas sciarids feed on organic matter within the compost itself. However, both can transmit disease and contaminate mushroom flushes, ruining up to 40% of the crop. This translates into substantial losses for growers.
