Uni's organic pest control find

The wireworm larvae causes major problems in potato crops

A Swansea University study has identified some naturally occurring alternatives to pesticides used to control pests like the wireworm.

Wireworms larvae cause major problems in arable crops, particularly potato yields, in many parts of the world.

Scientists at Swansea's School of Environment and Society found three naturally occurring alternatives to industrial pesticides.

The British Ecological Society has welcomed their study.

Currently, the wireworms - or click beetles - which are found in arable crops around the world are controlled by applying insecticides to the soil.

Dr Minshad Al Ansari and Professor Tariq Butt from the university's Department of Pure and Applied Ecology, discovered two types of parasitic fungi and another type of parasitic nematode (or roundworm) that could be used instead.

Dr Ansari said it showed a potentially organic way of controlling pests

Prof Butt, who led the research group, said: "Policy makers are agreed that there is a continuing need to reduce pesticide use in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

"The findings of this new study show that we are a step closer to achieving this goal."

The researchers investigated the pesticidal properties of 12 fungi and six nematodes.

The wireworms were exposed to the different parasites and their mortality was assessed every week for three weeks.

The dead larvae were dissected to confirm the cause of death and there were significant differences in the effects of the fungi.

Organic approach

The scientists found the most striking difference was the fungi Metarhizium anisopliae V1002, which caused 90% mortality.

There were also significant differences in the parasitic effects of the different types of nematode.

Dr Ansari concluded; "Previous research has demonstrated that the fungi M. anisiopliae can work together with chemical pesticides to control wireworm and other pests, and the fungi could therefore be used to reduce the use of conventional pesticides.

"The same fungi can also be used in conjunction with roundworms, providing the potential for a completely organic approach to controlling pests."