Ditylenchus myceliophagus		Contents		Rev 02/25/2011
		Classification		Hosts
		Morphology and Anatomy		Life Cycle
Return to Ditylenchus Menu		Economic Importance		Damage
		Distribution		Management
Return to Anguinidae Menu		Feeding		References
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Classification:

      Tylenchida
       Tylenchina
        Tylenchoidea

         Anguinidae

          Anguininae

           Ditylenchus myceliophagus

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Morphology and Anatomy:

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Distribution:

 Temperate regions, France, Britain; mushroom-growing areas.
   

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Economic Importance:

Pest in commercial mushroom production.
  

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Feeding:

Feeds on a wide range of fungal hyphae. 

Swarms and aggregates on mushroom beds.
   

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Hosts:

Fungi, mushrooms.
    

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Life Cycle:

Becomes cryptobiotic if drying is slow, remains viable for 3 1/2 years.

Has a sticky surface that sticks nematode to insect or human vectors.       

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Damage:

Withdraws contents of fungal cells, mycelium disappears; mushroom beds become soggy and foul smelling.
    

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Management:

Control of infestations is difficult; preventive measures are employed. 

Mushroom beds are heated to 60 C or fumigated with methyl bromide - both treatments kill mushrooms.

Thionazin is used at low rates in England to suppress the nematode; Benomyl suppresses the nematode, but also has detrimental effects on the fungus.

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References:

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Copyright © 1999 by Howard Ferris.
Revised: February 25, 2011.