Michael Joel-HansenSaskatoon StarPhoenixHarvesting wild rice has long been a way of life for Phyllis Smith. Smith, who lives and harvests in northern Saskatchewan’s Pinehouse Lake area, said the emergence of rice worms in northern lakes, where wild rice grows naturally, is a concern for the communities that depend on the crop. The massive decrease forced wild rice harvesters to ask Sharbel and the research team for help finding a solution. Elders have also noticed more fire and milk weed, which provide food for rice worm moths. “The rice worm infestation further and further north may also follow the wildfires,” said Sharbel.