Wireworm

Agriotes Sp., and Athous Sp.
Also known as Click Beetle

Wireworms feed on plant roots and burrow into tubers
Wireworms feed on plant roots and burrow into tubers
Click beetle (adult wireworm)
Click beetle (adult wireworm)
Click beetle (adult wireworm)
Click beetle (adult wireworm)
Click beetles (adult wireworms)
Click beetles (adult wireworms) [Credit: ©entomart]
Click beetle (adult wireworm)
Click beetle (adult wireworm) [Credit: ©entomart]


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Host Plants:

On Crops: Various plant roots and tubers, especially potato

Where Found:

Throughout UK and Europe

Description:

Wireworm is the common name given to the larval stages of click beetles. They grow up to 35mm in length and are a golden brown colour. The exterior is hard and their legs are short and stout. Wireworm can live up to 4 years in the soil before pupation and finally emerging as adult click beetles.

Damage:

Wireworm feed on the roots of plants and will also create burrows into tubers. They are a common problem in potato crops. Affected plants may wilt and die if roots suffer a large amount of damage.

Preventing Problems:

Regular digging of the soil during the year before and after susceptible plants are grown will expose wireworm to predators and help to reduce their numbers.

Managing Outbreaks:

There are no biological or chemical (organic or otherwise) control products available for wireworm control.

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