Wireworms

Common Name: Wireworms, Click Beetle

Genus: Melanotus fissilis, Limonius spp. Many species in the order Coleoptera, family Elatoridae.

Identification: see lifecycle

Lifecycle: The winter is passed in the ground in the larvae or adult stage. Adults emerge in early spring. They are "hard shelled," dark-colored beetles. The females burrow into the soil and lay eggs on the roots. The adult lives 10 to 12 months. The larvae hatching from these eggs spend from 2 to 6 years in the soil feeding on the roots. The larvae change to naked, soft pupa and in a few weeks to the adult. The adult remains in the soil until the following spring.

Geographic Distribution: Throughout North America.

Damage and Treatment: Crops that are attacked by wireworms often fail to germinate since the insect eats the germ of the seed. In other cases the crop may germinate well but a later attack will reduce stand and lower plant vigor. Bulbs and tubers are tunneled and scarred, making a large part of the crop unmarketable. Planting crops into sod ground should be avoided. Treatment should be made when insect populations and/or damage levels reach economic thresholds. Refer to local University Extension Pest Management Guidelines for specific state thresholds.

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Crops affected by Wireworms

Additional Pests

Amaranthes
Amaranthus palmeri, Amaranthus hybridus, Amaranthus spinosus
Aphids
Therioaphis maculata, Dysphis plantaginea, Acyrthosiphon kondoi, Acyrthosiphon kondoi, Acyrthosiphon pisum, Aphis gossypi
Armyworm, Beet
Spodoptera
Armyworms
Barnyardgrass
Echinochloa
Billbugs
Black Cutworm
Black Nightshade
Cabbage Looper
Trichoplusia
Chinch Bug
Colorado Potato Beetle
Leptinotarsa
Common Cocklebur
Xanthium
Corn Earworm
Corn Rootworm
Cutworms
Agrotis ipsilon, Agrotis orthogonia, Peridroma saucia
Eastern Nightshade
Solanum americanum, Solanum nigrum, Solanum ptycanthum, Solanum saccachoides
European Corn Borer
Ostrinia
Fall Armyworm
Spodoptera
Grasshopper
Melanoplus sanguinipes, Camnula pellacida
Kochia
Kochia
Lambsquarters
Chenopodium
Nightshades
Solanum americanum, Solanum nigrum, Solanum ptycanthum, Solanum saccachoides
Northern Corn Rootworm
Diabrotica longicornus barberi, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera
Pennsylvania Smartweed
Polygonum
Pigweed, Redroot
Amaranthus
Prickly Sida
Sida
Ragweeds
Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Ambrosia trifida
Seedcorn Beetle
Seedcorn Maggot
Sod Webworm
Southern Corn Leaf Beetle
Southern Corn Rootworm
Diabrotica
Southwestern Corn Borer
Diatrea
Spider Mites
Tetranychus urticae, Tetranychus turkestani, Tetranychus pacificus, Tetranychus cinnabarinus
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Diabrotica
Stalk Borer
Tarnished Plant Bug
Lygus
Thrips
Tobacco Budworm
Helicoverpa
Velvetleaf
Abutilon
Waterhemp
Western Corn Rootworm
Diabrotica longicornus barberi, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera
White Grub
Wild Sunflower
Helianthus
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