Fera Science has launched a cutting-edge wireworm DNA barcoding test, designed to help UK potato, vegetable, arable, and salad growers accurately identify wireworm species and protect crops from escalating damage that has already cost the industry £100,000’s, according to a report published by HortNews.

Officially launched at Groundswell 2025, the new tool has been developed as part of Fera’s ENIGMA I research project to meet the urgent need for more effective wireworm Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Principal entomologist at Fera, Dr Larissa Collins, led the project, and explains the findings have revealed that climate change is creating more favourable conditions for wireworm populations.

“There are over 60 species of wireworms in the UK but only a handful are crop pests; others do no harm, and some are even predators of the crop-damaging species. This means that understanding which species are present is critical to managing pest populations effectively,” she says

“Accurate pest identification is the first critical step in sustainable integrated pest management.”

The new DNA barcoding test can help growers pinpoint exactly which wireworm species are present in their fields. This will help to optimise pest management decisions to minimise crop damage and ensure that interventions, including cultural controls and insecticides, are used in the most effective way.

Source: HortNews. Read the full story here
Image: Credit Syngenta UK