Lead Researcher: Robert S. Vernon, PhD Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agassiz, British Columbia
Collaborators: Christine Noronha, PhD Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Charlottetown, PEI
Todd Kabaluk, MSc Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agassiz, British Columbia
Ian Scott, PhD Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, Ontario
This research project addresses key concerns with wireworm control in potatoes and strategic rotational crops in Canada.
Project Objectives
- Conduct harmonized annual efficacy studies at multiple sites involving key wireworm species for current season reduction of wireworm populations and damage to potatoes;
- Evaluate spring and/or fall planted wheat seed treatment with insecticidal blends for reduction of wireworm populations in strategic rotations prior to planting potatoes. Determine optimal timing and best planting practices for removal of resident and neonate wireworm populations;
- Evaluate the efficacy of a biofumigant (mustard seed-meal) as a soil amendment for wireworm control;
- Complete the development of a wireworm trap and method for its use in determining the level of risk that wireworms pose to potato production. Transfer the use of trap and monitoring method to professional pest managers for efficient application to potato farming;
- Continue a national wireworm survey to determine the spatial distribution and field overlap of key wireworm pest species attacking field crops. Produce comprehensive regional wireworm distribution maps to aid in the selection of most appropriate control options for site-specific use in IPM programs.
Create a new formulation of pheromone and use it to develop an attract and kill approach for wireworm control by targeting click beetles.