Lepeophtheirus salmonis is a host-specific parasite, as are many other species within this genus and L. salmonis completes its life cycle only on salmonids. Hence, successful settlement requires proper recognition of the host. In addition, the salmon louse is able to manipulate the host immunesystem to facilitate settlement and survival. 

 The main aim for the work in WP 2 will be to develop a commercially available diet that reduces attachment and settlement of sea lice by >50%.
I addition, we will produce a library of masking compounds that will be incorporated into diets to determine efficacy under in vivo challenge. Other areas of the main work is to optimise delivery, expression and efficacy of compounds and use anti-attachment diets within a defined IPM programme (e.g. use in spring as infection intensity increases, following synchronized winter treatments).

International collaboration is an important part of WP2 through cooperation with Atlantic Veterinary College, University de la Frontera and the EWOS Innovation facilities in Chile.

Results from WP 2 will be rapidly translated to commercial use of anti-attachment diets under operational conditions. These will be used within integrated pest management systems.

WP leader: Simon Wadsworth, EWOS