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Applied entomology

Team role

The mission of the team is to develop a quantitative understanding of the ecology of agricultural ecosystems, with special focus on crop and storage pests, beneficial insects (inc. honey bees) and the associated impacts of climate change, and changes in agricultural policy and practices. To this end the team provides entomological research and development expertise to support various customers including Defra, HDC, HGCA, PCL, EU and a range of commercial bodies. We have particular expertise in the development of invertebrate IPM strategies; honeybee related pest and diseases; chemical and biopesticide spray application and assessment; insect chemical ecology; efficacy evaluation data for product registration (ORETO registered), development of novel control methods and insect contamination. We also provide entomological skills to a range of invertebrate-based projects managed by other teams within Fera (e.g. Environmental Risk Assessment). The team consists of 9 permanent staff holding a wide range of entomological skills plus several students and visiting workers.

The team also manages Defra's Plant Health Invertebrate Quarantine Laboratories onsite at Fera.

Science themes

  • IPM: Development of integrated pest management strategies against both indigenous and non-indigenous invertebrate pests of agricultural and horticultural importance.
  • Bee Health: R&D in relation to control and eradication of honeybee pests and diseases with the aim of maintaining health UK honeybee populations.
  • Efficacy evaluation: Generation of efficacy evaluation data for product registration dossiers. Assessment of food packaging to prevent insect contamination and product infestability.
  • Development of novel control methods: The assessment of novel compounds and the evaluation of non-chemical control techniques against agricultural, public health and stored product invertebrate pests.
  • Biology and Behaviour: Understanding the biology and behaviour of key pest species.
  • Species identification: A wide range of entomological identification skills specialising in aphids, carabid beetles and stored product pests.
  • Commercial services: Range of services provided from assessment of virus transmitting aphids for UK commercial potato growers to invertebrate pesticide resistance testing.

Key team members

  • Phil Northing - Team Leader
    • Phil Northing is the team leader, with key areas of expertise in modelling, pest monitoring, IPM systems and the development of data delivery mechanisms for the agricultural industry.

    Key Projects:

  • Aphids and viruses in seed potatoes (PCL);
  • Aphid monitoring in seed potato crops (PCL);
  • Perennial field margins with combined agronomical and ecological benefits for vegetable rotation schemes (HortLINK);
  • Feasibility study into the potential of crop pollinators to act as delivery agents of entomopathogenic fungi (HortLINK);
  • Further development of modular IPM system for Thrips palmi (Defra);
  • FACET: Flavourings, Additives and food Contact materials Exposure (EU);
  • Development of a web-based hedgerow survey database and data analysis tool (Defra)
  • Debbie Collins
    • Debbie Collins is a research entomologist involved in the development of an integrated pest management strategy for stored products. Activities also include the generation of efficacy evaluation data for product registration dossiers, the assessment of novel compounds and the evaluation of non-chemical control techniques against agricultural, public health and stored product invertebrate pests. She also has expertise in assessing food packaging to prevent insect contamination and product infestability.

    Key projects:

  • Commercial Efficacy Testing (various)
  • Dr Andrew G S Cuthbertson
    • Dr Andrew G S Cuthbertson is a research entomologist whose major work area is the development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies for both indigenous and non-indigenous invertebrate pests of crops and honeybees. He is the manager of Defra's Plant Health Quarantine Insect Laboratories and associated research work.

    Key projects:

  • Further development of modular IPM system for Thrips palmi (Defra);
  • Control and risk assessment of honey bee pests and disease (Defra);
  • Insecticide resistance testing (various)
  • Dr Maureen Wakefield
    • Dr Maureen Wakefield is a research entomologist whose current research interests focus around integrated pest management of agriculturally important invertebrate pests and invasive species. Main interests focus on understanding insect behaviour, in particular with regard to detection and monitoring; insect chemical ecology, in particular the interaction between insects and naturally occurring attractants; the development of novel control methods, in particular the use of biological control agents including parasitoids, predators and entomopathogenic fungi; research on tritrophic interactions.

    Key projects:

  • Defining and managing risks to safety and quality during food and feed grain storage (Sustainable arable LINK);
  • Biopesticides for the control of storage insect pests (Sustainable arable LINK);
  • Development of an evidence based risk assessment for small hive beetle to provide input for the contingency plan (Defra);
  • Feasibility study into the potential of crop pollinators to act as delivery agents of entomopathogenic fungi (HortLINK)
  • Dr Larissa Collins
    • Dr Larissa Collins is a research entomologist / chemical ecologist whose current interests include spatial processes in populations of stored grain insect pests with reference to interpretation of insect monitoring; identification of aphids for the potato virus vector survey; identification of other insects for ecological surveys; chemical ecology of a range of insect species to identify behavioural effects of natural and artificial compounds. This includes gas-chromatography coupled with electroanntenography (GC-EAD) and behavioural research. Larissa is also Fera's Student Coordinator.

    Key projects:

  • Defining and managing risks to safety and quality during food and feed grain storage (Sustainable arable LINK);
  • Aphids and viruses in seed potatoes (PCL);
  • Aphid Monitoring in Seed Potato Crops (PCL)

Key publications

  • 2010

    • Cuthbertson, A.G.S., Mathers, J.J., Blackburn, L.F., Brown, M.A. & Marris, G. 2010. Small hive beetle: the next threat to British honey bees? Biologist, 57 (1):35-39.

    Wakefield, ME, Bell, HA, Gatehouse, AMR. 2010. Longevity and fecundity of Eulophus pennicornis, an ectoparasitoid of the tomato moth Lacanobia oleracea, is affected by nutritional state and diet quality. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 12:19-27

  • 2009

    • Collins LE; Conyers ST; 2009. Moisture content gradient and ventilation in stored wheat affect movement and distribution of Oryzaephilus surinamensis and have implications for pest monitoring. Journal of Stored Products Research, 45(1), 32-39

    Cuthbertson, A.G.S. & Brown, M.A. 2009. Issues affecting British honey bee biodiversity and the need for conservation of this important ecological component. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 6(4):695-699.

    Cuthbertson, A.G.S., Blackburn, L. F., Northing, P., Luo, W., Cannon, R.J.C. & Walters, K.F.A. 2009. Leaf dipping as an environmental screening measure to test chemical efficacy against Bemisia tabaci on poinsettia plants. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 6: 347-352.

    Cuthbertson, A.G.S., Blackburn, L.F., Northing, P., Mathers, J.J., Luo, W. & Walters, K.F.A. 2009 Environmental evaluation of hot water treatments to control Liriomyza huidobrensis infesting plant material in transit. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 6: 167-174.

    Down, R.E., Cuthbertson, A.G.S., Mathers, J.J., Walters, K.F.A. 2009 Dissemination of the entomopathogenic fungi, Lecanicillium longisporum and L. muscarium by the predatory bug, Orius laevigatus, to provide concurrent control of Myzus persicae, Frankliniella occidentalis and Bemisia tabaci. Biological Control, 50: 172-178.

    Northing, P. 2009. Extensive field based aphid monitoring as an information tool for the UK seed potato industry. Aspects of Applied Biology 94, 31-34.

    Northing, P; Oldring, PKT; Castle, L; Mason, PASS; 2009. New hierarchical classification of food items for the assessment of exposure to packaging migrants: use of hub codes for different food groups. Food Additives and Contaminants 26 (4), 534-562.

    Tomkies, V., Flint, J., Johnson, G., Waite, R., Wilkins, S., Danks, C., Watkins, M., Cuthbertson, A.G.S., Carpana, E., Marris, G. & Brown, M.A. 2009 Development and validation of novel field test kits for European foulbrood. Apidologie, 40: 63-72.

  • 2008

    • Collins LE; Bryning GP; Wakefield ME; Chambers J; Fennah K; Cox PD; 2008. Effectiveness of a multi-species attractant in two different trap types under practical grain storage conditions. Journal of Stored Products Research, 44(3), 247-257

    Cook, D., Wakefield, M.E. and Bryning, G.P. 2008. The physical action of three diatomaceous earths against the cuticle of the flour mite Acarus siro L. (Acari: Acaridae). Pest Management Science, 64: 141-146.

    Cuthbertson, A.G.S., Mathers, J.J., Northing, P., Prickett A.J. & Walters, K.F.A. 2008. The integrated use of chemical insecticides and the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae), for the control of sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae. Insect Science, 15: 447-453.

    Cuthbertson, A.G.S., Mathers, J.J., Blackburn, L.F., Wakefield, M.E., Collins, L.E., Luo, W. & Brown, M.A. 2008. Maintaining Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) under quarantine laboratory conditions in the UK and preliminary observations on its behaviour. Journal of Apicultural Research, 47: 192-193.

    Cuthbertson, A.G.S., Blackburn, L.F., Northing, P., Luo, W., Cannon, R.J.C. & Walters, K.F.A. 2008. Further compatibility tests of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium with conventional insecticide products for control of sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci on poinsettia plants. Insect Science, 15: 355-360.

    Pietzsch ME Mitchell R, Jameson LJ, Morgan C, Medlock JM, Collins D, Chamberlain JC, Gould EA, Hewson R, Taylor MA, Leach S 2008. Preliminary evaluation of exotic tick species and exotic pathogens imported on migratory birds into the British Isles, Veterinary Parasitology 155: 328-332.

    Thornham, D.G., Blackwell, A., Evans, K.F.A., Wakefield, M.E. and Walters, K.F.A. 2008. Locomotory behaviour of the seven-spotted ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata, in response to five commonly used insecticides. Annals of Applied Biology, 152(3): 349-359.

  • 2007

    • Collins LE; Bryning GP; Wakefield ME; Chambers J; Cox PD; 2007. Progress towards a multi-species lure: Identification of components of food volatiles as attractants for three storage beetles. Journal of Stored Products Research, 43(1), 53-63.

    Cox, P.D., Wakefield, M.E. and Jacob, T.A. 2007. Laboratory determination of flight activity in a range of moths, beetles and parasitoids associated with stored products. Journal of Stored Product Research, 43: 111-117.

    Cuthbertson, A.G.S. & Murchie, A.K. 2007. The life history of Rhopalosiphum insertum (apple-grass aphid) in Bramley's Seedling apple orchards. Journal of Entomology, 4 (2): 160-162.

    Cuthbertson, A.G.S. & Murchie, A.K. 2007. A review of the predatory mite Anystis baccarum and its role in apple orchard pest management schemes in Northern Ireland. Journal of Entomology, 4 (4): 275-278.

    Cuthbertson, A.G.S., Mathers, J.J., Northing, P., Luo, W. & Walters, K.F.A. 2007. The susceptibility of immature stages of Bemisia tabaci to infection by the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. Russian Journal of Nematology, 15: 153-156.

    Cuthbertson, A.G.S., Walters, K.F.A., Northing, P. & Luo, W. 2007. Efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema feltiae, against sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, under laboratory and glasshouse conditions. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 97: 9-14.

    Thornham, D.G., Stamp, C., Walters, K.F.A., Mathers, J.J., Wakefield, M.E., Blackwell, A. and Evans, K.A. 2007. Feeding responses of adult seven-spotted ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae), to insecticide contaminated prey in laboratory arenas. Biocontrol Science and Technology 17 (10) 983-994.

    Thornham, D.G., Wakefield, M.E., Blackwell, A. Evans, K.A., Walters, K.F.A. 2007. Sexual dimorphism in the distribution and biometrics of the palpal sensilla of Coccinella septempunctata, and a description of a new sensillum. Acta Entomologica Sinica, 50(7): 667-674

    Trematerra P; Gentile P; Brunetti A; Collins LE; Chambers J; 2007. Spatio-temporal analysis of trap catches of Tribolium confusum du Val in a semolina-mill, with a comparison of female and male distributions. Journal of Stored Products Research, 43,315-322.

    Wakefield, M.E. and Cogan, P.M. 2007. A laboratory method for the evaluation of traps for the detection of beetle pests in bulk grain. Journal of Stored Products Research, 43: 546-549.

    Wilkins, S., Brown, M.A. & Cuthbertson, A.G.S. 2007. The incidence of honey bee pests and diseases in England and Wales. Pest Management Science, 63: 1062-1068.