Dr. Michael Wolfin

Assistant Research Professor

Department: Entomology
College: Agricultural Sciences
Address: 104 Chemical Ecology Labs
Phone: 833-574-6743
E-mail: mvw5315@psu.edu

Exploring the Potential to Control Mushroom Flies with Natural Enemies

Predatory mites and nematodes are natural enemies of soil dwelling insects, and are effective biocontrol agents in agricultural systems. We’ve begun studies on these natural enemies suggest that these natural enemies can kill mushroom flies in the lab. We’re looking to recruit a student to answer basic questions about the biology of these natural enemies and mushroom flies to help inform farmers on when, how any, and how often to apply the natural enemies on their farms. Students will gain broad experience designing and executing laboratory experiments, and collecting, managing, and analyzing data. If you’re interested in insect behavior, insect ecology, agricultural entomology, or integrated pest management, this may be the project for you!

Decoding the Odors that Attract Mushroom Flies

Mushroom flies lay their eggs in healthy mushroom compost. Previous work on mushroom fly attraction to compost showed that the flies were less attracted to poorly colonized mushroom compost, and compost that was saturated with mushroom growth compared to younger, actively growing compost. Previous work indicates that the flies use odor to locate mushroom compost, and assess the quality of the compost. We are recruiting a student to help identify the odorant chemicals in the different compost types, and determine their behavioral effect on the mushroom flies. Students will gain broad experience designing and executing laboratory experiments, and collecting, managing, and analyzing data. If you’re interested in chemical ecology, insect behavior, neurobiology, and integrated pest management, this may be the project for you!

Screening Biopesticides for Efficacy in Controlling Mushroom Flies

Mushroom flies cause 10-40% crop loss on mushroom farms here in Pennsylvania. The main pesticide used to control mushroom flies was repealed in 2012, and since then there have been no options for farmers to control the flies on their farms. This has lead to uninformed use of pesticides that could be dangerous for workers on farms. We are recruiting a student to test the efficacy of safe biopesticides for use on farms to provide growers with sustainable solutions to their mushroom fly problems. Students will gain broad experience designing and executing laboratory experiments, and collecting, managing, and analyzing data. If you’re interested in sustainable alternatives to managing insect pests, agricultural entomology, and integrated pest management, this may be the project for you!