CSFB Research+: Developing a comprehensive programme for cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) management in oilseed rape

Objective 1: Provide data on the field performance of novel control productsThis objective will evaluate the performance of novel control products against CSFB at various points in its life cycle in field conditions, including those that have already demonstrated potential in controlled environments.The project team will identify treatments to include in trials, which will run during the first two growing seasons (2025/26 and 2026/27) as a minimum. The treatments will represent a range of product types, such as novel insecticides, botanical biopesticides and entomopathogenic nematodes. A seed treatment has already been identified for testing. As synergists (substances added to plant protection products to improve their performance) may be able to counteract insecticide resistance, these will also be considered.Objective 2:Extend the cultural control methods availableFundamental and applied work will develop evidence on the mechanisms of control (including the impact) for a priority set of IPM approaches identified from previous studies.Objective 2a:OSR stubble cultivationOne of the top 10 CSFB management strategies states 'stir it up after harvest' because lightly cultivating OSR stubble soon after harvest may reduce emerging CSFB (according to an initial Defra-funded study). As most CSFB pupae are in the top 30 mm of soil, they are vulnerable to tillage operations.The work will conduct cultivation trials at two sites in 2025 and 2026, as a minimum, and use CSFB emergence traps to evaluate treatment impact. It will also assess the impact of cultivations on beneficial organisms.Objective 2b:Brassicas as trap cropsAnother top 10 CSFB management strategy says to 'build brassica buddies' by using sacrificial strips of brassica (e.g. turnip rape) or OSR volunteer trap crops to lure beetles away from the OSR cash crop.Previous research shows that leaving OSR volunteers until at least late September reduces adult and larval pressure in nearby OSR fields. Border and in-field strips of turnip rape (which is relatively attractive to CSFB) can also reduce CSFB pressure in OSR. Late-summer-established cover crops containing brassica species may also reduce CSFB pressure in nearby OSR (if trap crops are present during migration).This work will include studies on brassica-containing cover crops. Initial activity included a survey of farming practices during summer 2025 on the general use of cover/catch crops. The results and stakeholder interviews will guide further work in this area, including the identification of the most commercially relevant approaches and species mixes.The CSFB research partnership will identify and monitor at least eight catch/cover crops with a high brassica content in 2025/26 and 2026/27, as a minimum, to gather data on their attractiveness to CSFB and the risk of them becoming a source of CSFB in the following year. The latter aspect will consider destruction approaches (techniques and timings).Objective 3:Improve understanding of CSFB life-historyThis objective will generate data to fill knowledge gaps on key CSFB life-history traits, which can be used to develop decision support tools and improve the effectiveness of cultural, biological and chemical control.Monitoring of CSFB adult migration (funded by AHDB over several years) has created a long-term data set that shows how CSFB migration varies annually and regionally in response to local conditions. Monitoring of the migration in OSR will continue as part of this research (in autumn 2025 and 2026, as a minimum). Objective 4:Impact of natural enemies on CSFB control (and how to encourage them)In the UK, CSFB is a host to two main parasitoids:Microctonus brassicae, which lays its eggs in CSFB adult beetles, where the parasitoid larvae develop (with the host eventually killed)Tersilochus microgaster, which lays its eggs in CSFB larvae (within the stem), where the parasitised CSFB larvae drop and pupate in the soil (with the host eventually killed)Both parasitoids have the potential to contribute significantly to CSFB management. This objective will build on previous studies on the distribution and abundance of M. brassicae in the UK (including parasitisation levels), using yellow water trap contents from project trial sites in the first two years of the project, as a minimum.The work will also consider site-specific impacts, including the impact of cultivation on both parasitoid species and catch/cover crops on M. brassicae. Ultimately, the research findings will underpin guidance on the management of parasitoid populations to maximise the impact on CSFB.Objective 5:Deliver a comprehensive crop management programme for CSFBFrom the outset, CSFB Research+ has used a decision-making framework based on key questions asked by farmers before drilling, during production and after harvest, to target project activity and develop practical guidance.The approach defined the initial key activities under each objective, especially in the first two years. The CSFB research partnership will continue to co-design activity (research and KE) throughout the project, which may involve refining approaches or starting further novel research, potentially funded within the project or via other routes.Opportunities to test approaches on commercial farms will also be explored, as this is known to be an effective way to promote the uptake of new approaches.A wide range of communication channels will be used to promote results to levy payers throughout the project.Project activity will be badged under the CSFB Research+ banner to maximise visibility and to help put CSFB knowledge into practice.Due to the critical importance of IPM in the management of CSFB, new evidence-based guidance will be issued in time for on-farm decisions.CSFB Research+ will also utilise the knowledge exchange networks and programmes available through the co-funders to maximise the dissemination of project findings.