Sask. wild rice harvesters desperate for solution to stop ‘devastating’ insect – CBC

Sep 10, 2025

Scientists team up with traditional harvesters to develop traps for rice worm moths

Phyllis Smith heads out on the clear waters of Agumik Lake to survey her dense wild rice patch, checking the size and quality of the grain by knocking the plant against her boat.

While hard rice tumbles out of some kernels, others are empty — eaten and destroyed by rice worms, a pest that is wreaking havoc for harvesters in northern Saskatchewan and hurting their livelihood.

“Every year it seems to get worse,” said Phyllis, who has been picking rice for more than 30 years. “You’re almost at a loss now what to expect.”

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/wild-rice-worm-moth-harvest-pest-1.7629594