Investigating RNAi as a management tool for prairie wireworms

AWC contribution: $69,000

Start Date: April 1, 2021

End Date: March 31, 2024

Dr. John Laurie, AAFC Lethbridge

Summary:

Wireworm is a pest of serious concern for many growers in Alberta. This soil-dwelling insect is complex, consisting of multiple species having long life spans with the ability to damage numerous crops. Effective chemical control for wireworms has not been available in Canada since 2004, but new chemicals are in the pipeline for registration. However, a changing regulatory landscape has seen chemicals questioned or removed from the marketplace, meaning that non-chemical integrated pest management methods are needed for wireworm control. An integrated approach with targeted and environmentally friendly tools is needed to most sustainably manage wireworm. We aim to address the wireworm problem in wheat by developing RNAi as a tool for wireworm suppression. RNAi has the potential to be powerful, targeted, and environmentally friendly and has been shown to have efficacy against over 20 insect crop pests.