How is Berry Gardens tackling latest insect pests?Entomologist's study identifies most effective nematode species for soft-fruit crops

摘要

Berry Gardens entomologist and lab manager Marco Corradi has recently been awarded the 2020 Royal Entomological Society prize for the top masters student at Harper Adams University. His thesis investigated the efficacy of commercially available entomopathogenic nematode species for the biological control of vine weevil larvae in soft-fruit and ornamental crops outdoors, indoors and in protected cropping contexts.Professor Simon Leather, an honorary fellow at the society and professor of entomology at Harper Adams University, says: "Marco completed a metaanalysis using data published over the past 40 years from studies on the use of entomopathogenic nematodes against this important pest."Results from this study identified the most effective nematode species, whether there were differences in efficacy between soft-fruit and ornamental crops or between field or glasshouse situations as well as a range of other factors that may influence efficacy. These results will be of use to growers using entomopathogenic nematodes for the control of vine weevil. In order to more widely communicate these results, Marco is currently preparing this work for submission to a suitable biological control journal."