Sustainable alternatives to banned neonicotinamide pesticides for flea beetle control using plant genetics Advertising Description (Strict maximum of

Neonicotinamide pesticides were used to control the cabbage stem flea beetle on oilseed rape, but were banned Europe-wide because of their negative impacts on non-target pollinator species. Since the ban the UK oilseed rape cropping area has fallen by one third as famers have lost crops to flea beetle attacks, threatening the viability of the UK supply chain and increasing reliance on imports. While oilseed rape is highly susceptible to flea beetle attack, some closely related species show some resistance for currently unknown reasons. The aim of this project will be to identify the basis of this resistance and evaluate its potential for flea beetle control in oilseed rape, either by interspecific crossing or transgenic means.