Research interests
Dr Wamonje specialises in molecular and applied entomology and has expertise in pest detection, surveillance, and biocontrol strategies. He leads research projects aimed at improving agricultural sustainability and environmental resilience. His molecular entomology work includes developing innovative tools for early pest detection, molecular taxonomy to identify hard-to-distinguish ‘cryptic’ insect species and DNA metabarcoding to enable at-scale species identification for biodiversity monitoring. These research lines enhances pest control, support pollinator conservation, and agro-ecosystem management. His applied entomology research focuses on sustainable biocontrol methods that optimise and enhance biocontrol programs to reduce chemical pesticide reliance.
Dr Wamonje actively communicates his research to growers, agronomists, and the public. He publishes regularly in peer-reviewed journals and makes presentations at leading industry events like the National Fruit Show. He regularly engages with interdisciplinary groups like Cambridge Global Challenges and the Insecticide Resistance Action Group to align pest management with global food systems goals. Aside, Dr Wamonje founded runs a weekly tea-break science seminar at NIAB East Malling and is the resident Plant Health Officer.
Research Projects
- Isothermal Detection of Cryptic Thrips Species [2024-2025], Innovate UK
- Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) surveillance in the UK [2022-2025], Defra.
- A phenology-perceptive integrated biocontrol program for Large raspberry aphid (Amphorophora idaei) control: PHENCONTROL [2023-2025], IUK
- AgroBioConnect: Connections in the landscape. Role of landscape complexity in agroecosystem sustainability [2023-2026], ERANET.
- Development of pheromones for innovative management of Forest Bug, an emerging pest of orchards in England: FORBUG, [2022-2024], Innovate UK-FIP.
Recent publications
- Fening KO, et al. (2024). First report of Leucinodes africensis and Leucinodes laisalis on Solanum aethiopicum and Solanum melongena in farmer’s fields in southern Ghana. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007485324000154
- Brine TJ, et al. (2023) Investigating the interactions of endornaviruses with each other and with other viruses in common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-023-02184-y
- Brine TJ, et al. (2023). Identification and characterisation of Phaseolus vulgaris endornavirus 1, 2 and 3 in common bean cultivars of East Africa. Virus Genes. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11262-023-02026-7
- Forchibe EE, et al. (2023). Differential effects of weather, plant phenology and predators on the seasonal variation of aphids on cabbage. Journal of Applied Entomology https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13106
- Fening KO, et al. (2022). First report and population dynamics of the Tobacco Thrips, Thrips parvispinus (Karny) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on ridged gourd, Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxy in selected export fields in southern Ghana. https://doi.org/10.17170/kobra-202212057193
- Wamonje FO, et al (2021). Detection and identification of a 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacerum' species from ash tree infesting psyllids. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-02-21-0060-SC
- Mhlanga, NM, et al. (2021). An innate preference of bumblebees for volatile organic compounds emitted by Phaseolus vulgaris plants infected with three different viruses. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.626851