True wireworms

Constraint -True Wireworm

Appearance

• Larvae grow to 15-40 mm, are soft-bodied, creamy yellow-red brown, with a dark wedge-shaped head, and a flattened tail with distinctive serrated edges

• Adults are known as "click" beetles, and are dark brown, elongated and 9-13 mm long

Symptoms

• Larvae eat the contents of germinating seeds, and underground stems of establishing plants, causing wilting and death

• Affected crops may develop bare patches

Damage

• Damage is usually greatest when crop growth is slow due to cold wet conditions

• Affected crops may require re-sowing if the infestation is severe

Control

Wireworms can only be controlled if detected before sowing. Insecticide can be applied to the soil with fertiliser, or seed at sowing. If damage occurs after sowing, no treatment is available, other than re-sowing bare patches with insecticide-treated seed.

Links and Resources

DEPI VIC - False/True wireworms Description, biology, damage, sampling and detection, control, true wireworms, description, biology, damage, sampling, detection, and control. Published 1995, last updated 2014.

I Spy Manual - True wireworms Page 69. Adult and larvae description, confused with, distribution, pest status and risk period, host range, damage, monitoring/sampling, and management. Published 2012.

Insectopedia - True wireworms Description, biology, damage, and control. Published 2000.