Seasonal changes in mycophagous insect communities

The phenology of fungal fruiting has changed in the UK over last 70 years, but whether associated mycophagous insects are able to exploit 'out season' fruit bodies is unknown. This study focused on baits can be used as a proxy examine changes insect communities. Using Agaricus bisporus bait, mushrooms were placed into two separate woodlands monthly from November 2020 July 2021. Megaselia rufipes (Phoridae) and Bradysia spp. (Sciaridae) reared both wild fungi at different times, making them appropriate species consider for possible host tracking. Various factors affect an insect's ability track host, these include preference, season, period age mushroom. Increased macrofungi future may benefit generalist insects, by providing enhanced temporal spatial resource opportunities. effects climate change should beneficial uncovering preferences potentially indicate hosts across seasons.