--- title: "Progress on Enigma V: Improving Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle Control in Oilseed Rape Crops" description: An update on the progress of Enigma V, Fera’s collaborative R&D project focused on improving the control of cabbage stem flea beetle in oilseed rape crops. image: https://blog.fera.co.uk/hubfs/shutterstock_1586693839.jpg --- [![About Featured](https://blog.fera.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/FeraScience_April2022/images/Erics_mm.jpg?width=691&name=Erics_mm.jpg "About Featured")](https://www.fera.co.uk/about-us/stimulating-innovation-in-the-agri-food-sector) ### Stimulating Innovation in the Agri-food Sector Watch the latest videos of science innovation at work - locally. 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[Read more](https://www.fera.co.uk/news/making-mesocosm-studies-fit-for-the-future/) [![Crop Health Featured](https://blog.fera.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/FeraScience_April2022/images/crop-health.jpg?width=400&name=crop-health.jpg "Crop Health Featured")](https://www.fera.co.uk/crop-health/sample-shipping-information) ### Plant Sample Submission Form Submit your plant/crop sample - please read these guidelines. [Read more](https://www.fera.co.uk/crop-health/sample-shipping-information) [![Crop Health Featured](https://blog.fera.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/FeraScience_April2022/images/Food.jpeg?width=400&name=Food.jpeg "Crop Health Featured")](https://www.fera.co.uk/news/brexit-will-make-determining-pesticide-levels-in-foods-even-more-important/) ### Brexit will make determining pesticide levels in foods even more important World population has increased from one billion in 1800 to 7.7 billion today. During this period, the use of pesticides has played a critical role to protect crops from insects, weeds, diseases and moulds, ensuring that food supply keeps up with the increasing demand. [Read more](https://www.fera.co.uk/news/brexit-will-make-determining-pesticide-levels-in-foods-even-more-important/) [![Environmental Featured](https://blog.fera.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/FeraScience_April2022/images/environmental.png?width=508&name=environmental.png "Environmental Featured")](https://www.fera.co.uk/land360-land-management) ### LAND360 A science-based approach to systems level landscape management of natural capital [Read more](https://www.fera.co.uk/land360-land-management) - [Home](https://www.fera.co.uk/) - [Fera Science Blog](https://blog.fera.co.uk/fera-science-blog) - **Progress on Enigma V: Improving Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle Control in Oilseed Rape Crops** # Progress on Enigma V: Improving Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle Control in Oilseed Rape Crops ![Progress on Enigma V: Improving Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle Control in Oilseed Rape Crops](https://blog.fera.co.uk/hubfs/shutterstock_1586693839.jpg) ## Progress on Enigma V: Improving Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle Control in Oilseed Rape Crops 4 April 2025 According to the [AHDB](https://ahdb.org.uk/), 2024 saw the smallest planted area of UK oilseed rape (OSR) in 40 years. This decline is largely attributed to ongoing difficulties in controlling Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle (CSFB), a devastating pest responsible for significant yield OSR losses. The introduction of neonicotinoid insecticides was once considered a breakthrough in CSFB control, but since their withdrawal from the market in 2013, growers have relied heavily on pyrethroid insecticides. Today, years of overuse and a lack of viable alternatives have led to widespread resistance, rendering these insecticides increasingly ineffective. In this blog, Hannah Fenton, Senior Scientist at Fera and Project Manager for Enigma V, discusses how collaborative research efforts are offering hope to UK growers, exploring innovative, science-led solutions for CSFB control, with the potential to restore the viability of UK oilseed rape production.   What is the aim of Enigma V? Enigma was launched by Fera in 2022, as a collaborative research model to unite industry partners and Fera scientists. Enigma aims to find science-led solutions to pre-competitive issues across the agri-food sector. The success of the Enigma model has already been demonstrated through the progress of Enigma I, which focused on finding a sustainable solution to wireworm control in root crops and fresh produce. Multiple partners, including [Syngenta](https://www.syngenta.co.uk/), [G’s Fresh](https://www.gs-fresh.com/) and [Pearce Seeds](https://www.pearceseeds.co.uk/), helped shaped the research that Fera has undertaken as part of this project, with several outcomes that will significantly benefit the relevant sectors. Read more on Enigma I [here](https://blog.fera.co.uk/fera-science-blog/enigma-1-progress). Enigma V will follow the same approach, with [United Oilseeds](https://www.unitedoilseeds.co.uk/), [Frontier](https://www.frontierag.co.uk/), [Limagrain](https://www.limagrain.com/en), [ADM](https://www.adm.com/en-us/about-adm/our-company/) and [PepsiCo](https://www.pepsico.co.uk/) already signed-up as contributing partners. This project will seek to find alternative control methods for CSFB, with the aim of helping to increase UK oilseed rape yields. Science-led solutions for cabbage stem flea beetle control Metabolic resistance occurs when pests develop the ability to break down pesticides, often through detoxifying enzymes that neutralise the chemicals, making them less effective. However, research has shown botanical biopesticides, derived from natural plant oils, can inhibit these enzymes and restore insecticide efficacy. Encouragingly, initial Enigma V laboratory trials have demonstrated that combining botanical oils with pyrethroids can significantly enhance their effectiveness, reducing the amount of pesticide needed for effective pest control. This in turn could help to counteract resistance.![shutterstock_1250897029](https://blog.fera.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_1250897029.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=shutterstock_1250897029.jpg) Building on these findings, Fera is moving to the next phase of research with glasshouse trials. These trials will test whether the promising laboratory results can be replicated in more controlled, real-world environments, bringing this innovative theory closer to practical application. The ultimate goal of Enigma V is to determine if these laboratory successes can be scaled to the field, where oilseed rape crops are exposed to a variety of environmental variables.   Stay updated on progress with Enigma V Industry partners play a crucial role in this research, providing practical insight and real-world expertise to ensure that the solutions developed are not only scientifically sound but also viable for farmers. By working together, Fera and its partners aim to create a sustainable, effective approach to controlling CSFB that could significantly improve oilseed rape yields. Although Enigma V is still in its early stages, the potential impact of this research could be pivotal for the agricultural industry. As the project progresses, Fera will continue to share updates through LinkedIn and online. Stay connected to receive the latest developments and results from this ground-breaking research.                                                            _____________________________________________________________________________________ New Enigma Partners Welcomed If you are interested in learning more about the Enigma projects, or would be interested in being a project partner, [please get in touch](https://content.fera.co.uk/enigma-5-partner).   [![Enigma-logo-tag-colour](https://blog.fera.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Enigma-logo-tag-colour.png?width=347&height=112&name=Enigma-logo-tag-colour.png)](https://blog.fera.co.uk/hubfs/Crop%20Health/ENIGMA/ENIGMA%20Overview%20PDF%2024.pdf) [Enigma](https://blog.fera.co.uk/fera-science-blog/tag/enigma) [agrifood](https://blog.fera.co.uk/fera-science-blog/tag/agrifood) [agriculture](https://blog.fera.co.uk/fera-science-blog/tag/agriculture) [collaboration](https://blog.fera.co.uk/fera-science-blog/tag/collaboration) Posted in [News](https://blog.fera.co.uk/fera-science-blog) #### Share this event: - - -