Nematode worms trials could help develop sustainable pest controls

NUI Maynooth trials on nematode worms could give Irish agri-food an edge in the global drive to develop sustainable pest controls.

These tiny worms’ killer instincts are usually directed by males at rival males in their own gene pool. However, the NUIM trials show that this instinct may also be used against horticulture pests such as pine weevil and vine weevil, potentially replacing chemical pesticides.

“There are two sides to our trials with these worms,” said NUIM biology lecturer Dr Christine Griffin. “One side is our study of their behaviour towards other insects. The other side is how this can be applied in the agriculture sector as an alternative to using chemicals.