Groundbreaking findings from Fera Science’s research project, Enigma I – Wireworm IPM, are now driving a second crucial phase of collaborative research.

As climate change creates more hospitable conditions for wireworm, agri-food organisations with a commercial interest in protecting affected crops (such as potatoes, maize, carrots, salad and onions) are invited to join the next stage of this project as co-funding partners.

Adam Bedford, Enigma collaborative projects director at Fera Science, explains new partners will join multinational businesses already committed to the second phase of industry research.

“Building on three years of partner-led R&D, new participants will have exclusive access to our Enigma I findings so far, which have filled longstanding gaps in knowledge on wireworm lifecycles and damage patterns, and helped model the risk the pest poses in future,” he says.

“Our second phase of wireworm research is focused on understanding wireworm at a local level, equipping partners with tailored guidance on sustainable wireworm control to help minimise crop losses.”

With support from Fera’s world class scientists, each project partner will obtain a bespoke risk assessment based on crop type, rotation, location and other risk factors, alongside a suite of recommendations to help reduce wireworm populations.

Dr Larissa Collins, lead scientist on the Enigma I project and entomology programme manager at Fera, explains more.

“Leveraging key outcomes of our wireworm research so far, we’ll be working on producing a replicable model that partners can use to help identify the potential wireworm risk and tailor control methods across different growing sites, as part of an integrated pest management strategy,” says Dr Collins.

“The results of this project come at a crucial time for the industry with reports of the pest continuing to increase across the country.”  

Dr Collins adds the upcoming research will include further analysis of cover cropping and other non-chemical control methods for the pest – such as beneficial predator insects - shaped by the needs of growers involved in Enigma I from the start.

She says: “As Enigma I evolves, industry partners will continue to play a pivotal role in steering the project’s direction - whatever we test has to be practical for use in the field.”

Mr Bedford adds partners will gain actionable insights through every step of the R&D project.

“Partners will be able to take away practical solutions that are immediately applicable to their businesses – and as co-funders, have genuine influence over the project’s outcomes,” he says.

“We would urge any organisations with an interest in protecting the arable/fresh produce supply chain not to miss out with involvement in this project.”

For more information on Enigma I and to register interest in joining the next phase of the research project, please visit: https://www.fera.co.uk/our-science/enigma-research-model