World Potato Congress Inc. Announces Webinar on Crop Rotation Strategies for Wireworm Control

World Potato Congress Inc. (WPC Inc.) has announced its upcoming webinar, “Crop Rotation for Wireworm Control,” scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. EDT (USA/Toronto). The session will feature Dr. Christine Noronha, a leading research scientist in Entomology and Integrated Pest Management with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. 

Wireworm management continues to be one of the most difficult challenges for potato producers. The larvae’s hidden behaviour, broad host range, and the limited number of effective insecticides make the pest particularly destructive. Potatoes—an important economic crop—can suffer severe damage, leading to significant financial losses or complete crop failure. 

To address the lack of viable control options, Dr. Noronha and her team conducted extensive research on the use of rotation crops as a management tool. Their studies revealed a substantial reduction in the number of heavily infested fields, confirming the effectiveness of crop rotation in suppressing wireworm populations. These findings, along with practical guidance for growers, will be presented and discussed in detail during the webinar.

About the Presenter

Dr. Christine Noronha is a research scientist at the Charlottetown Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, specializing in Entomology and Integrated Pest Management. Her work has centered on developing practical, innovative pest management tools for major agricultural pests. She is the inventor of the NELT™ solar-powered trap for click beetles, the developer of an effective crop rotation strategy for wireworm suppression, and the creator of the “Stem Crusher” used in controlling European corn borer in potatoes.

Dr. Noronha’s leadership and research have had a far-reaching impact on growers and agricultural industries across Canada and Europe. She is frequently sought after by producers, consultants, and scientific organizations for her expertise. Her contributions have been recognized with the Agrologist Recognition Award (2016) from the Prince Edward Island Institute of Agrologists and her selection as one of the Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture (2022). She has authored scientific papers, book chapters, and fact sheets, and collaborates closely with researchers and farmers across Canada, Europe, and the United States.

WPC Inc. expressed appreciation to Dr. Noronha for contributing her expertise to the World Potato Congress webinar series.