Enigma I | Sustainable Wireworm IPM II
Wireworm continues to be a problem for potato and carrot growers and is increasingly being seen in other crops such as cereals, field beans, sugar beet, onions and maize. The pattern of wireworm damage is changing, Fera partnered with the industry to understand why and how these damage patterns are altering.
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Overview
Managing wireworm risk remains a major challenge, with limited visibility on species, behaviour and effective control. Understanding this risk requires accurate species identification, environmental context and insight into lifecycle dynamics.
ENIGMA Wireworm II is a live, partner-led project that brings these elements together, combining field data, applied science and shared insight to deliver practical, location-specific approaches to risk assessment and management in commercial systems.
The Challenge
Wireworm risk varies by species, soil type, crop and climate.
Different species behave differently and do not pose equal risk. Timing of interventions is critical, but often unclear.
Industry needs practical tools to:
- Identify species present
- Assess local risk
- Time interventions effectively
- Integrate cultural and biological control
What ENIGMA delivered (Wireworm I)
The first project established a new foundation for wireworm risk assessment.
Key outputs:
- DNA barcoding for 16 species
- National mapping of current and projected species ranges
- Identification of landscape and field risk factors
- Biological insights for key agronomic species
- Cover crop trial reducing potato damage by up to 50% (glasshouse)
- Lifecycle and temperature response data
- Updated risk assessment and mitigation guidance
Current Project: Wireworm II
Wireworm II applies this knowledge in commercial field conditions.
The project is partner-led. Research is shaped by real constraints, real crops, and real environments.
In this project, we are:
- Validating DNA metabarcoding for multi-species identification
- Monitoring click beetle and wireworm populations in partner fields
- Assessing risk using localised data inputs
- Testing control measures under practical conditions
- Investigating seed mixes and their impact on pests and predators
- Identifying opportunities to enhance natural control
What partners gain
Partners receive outputs they can apply directly:
Bespoke wireworm risk assessments
Recommendations based on crop, rotation and location
Insight into effective and practical control strategies
Access to shared datasets across partners
Tools to carry out future risk assessment independently
