[1] Megaselia halterata is a common pest of mushroom cultivation, attracted by the aroma of developing fungal mycelium.

The larvae damage both the mushroom mycelium and gill tissues.

[3] Megaselia halterata is an important pest of mushroom cultivation, capable of severely limiting mushroom yield.

[5][6] Adult mushroom phorid flies are 2-3mm in length with a blackish-brown color.

Belonging to the "Hump-backed flies" (Phoridae), they have a prominent-looking back side[7]