CP 190: PhD: Development of an integrated strategy for Bean Seed Fly control

Bean seed fly is a common pest of a range of crops grown in the UK and more widely including peas, beans, onions and courgettes.  Its effects can be devastating.  Bean seed fly has been highlighted as a major problem on several crops because of a lack of effective plant protection products. This project addresses a need to explore a range of approaches to management and control of bean seed fly for all susceptible crops, but with legumes being the highest priority. The research will fill in knowledge gaps about bean seed fly biology to underpin the development of an integrated strategy for bean seed fly control

The aim of the studentship project is to increase knowledge about, and understanding of, bean seed fly biology to underpin the development of an integrated strategy for bean seed fly control. 

1. Improved understanding of the bean seed fly life-cycle and the influence of temperature/weather conditions to improve the ability to forecast the periods when bean seed flies are laying many eggs. The work will aim to determine the relationship between temperature and fly development and to establish the reliability of day degree forecasts using monitoring data from the field.
2. Improved understanding of the behaviour and spatial distribution of bean seed fly in crops to determine the best methods of monitoring for this pest.
3. Investigate approaches to reduce the size of bean seed fly infestations in susceptible crops. The work will focus on cultural methods including the timing of cultivations. Equally important will be to understand factors which may increase bean seed fly infestations e.g. cover crops, organic matter in the soil.