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Wireworm

Overview

Wireworms, the larvae of click beetles, feed on the roots and underground stems of wheat plants. Leading to stunted growth, reduced plant vigor, and potential pathogen entry points for secondary infections, these pests can result in lower yields and financial losses.

Learning how to scout for, identify, and treat wireworms through effective management strategies and products can help control wireworm populations and minimize their negative impacts on wheat crops.

(Image Credit: Steve L. Brown, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org)

Wireworm, Steve L. Brown, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

How to Identify Wireworms

Because they spend most of their life cycle hidden beneath the soil, wireworms can often be challenging to identify. However, there are several key characteristics that can assist in identifying their presence.

Wireworms are slender and cylindrical, with a hard, shiny, copper-brown exoskeleton. Their size can vary, ranging from 1/4 to 1 inch in length, depending on their age. When disturbed, they tend to assume a distinct "C" shape, resembling a wire (thus their name).

Given that wireworm damage often resembles that caused by other pests or environmental factors, wireworm detection can also sometimes prove challenging. To scout for wireworms, look out for:

  • Wilting or yellowing plants

  • Uneven stands in a wheat field

  • Small holes or tunnels in the roots or underground stems

  • The presence of adult click beetles in the vicinity of the wheat field

Regions Affected by Wireworms

Wireworms are commonly found in areas with heavy clay or loam soils. In North America, wireworms are particularly prevalent in the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and the Great Plains. However, wireworms can be present in any region where wheat is grown.

Timing of Wireworm Activity

Wireworms are most active during the early stages of the wheat growing season, from late winter to early spring when the soil temperature reaches around 50°F (10°C). This critical period is when wireworms pose the greatest threat to a wheat crop.

How to Manage Wireworms

Before considering chemical treatments, first assess the severity of the wireworm infestation. Integrated pest management strategies such as crop rotation, trap crops, and biological controls can go a long way in managing wireworm populations effectively.

Rotating crops and incorporating trap crops into a rotation plan can help disrupt the wireworm life cycle and reduce their numbers. Additionally, introducing biological controls, such as beneficial nematodes or entomopathogenic fungi, can provide natural enemies to help control wireworm populations.

Seed-applied neonicotinoid insecticides containing imidacloprid* or thiamethoxam can slow insect feeding when plants are most vulnerable to damage. Broflanilide, a newer chemistry class, may be more effective at managing wireworms in wheat when applied as a seed treatment.

Carefully read and follow product labels to ensure proper application rates and timing, maximize efficacy, and minimize potential negative impacts on the environment.

Disclaimer

© 2014 - 2024 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, “FBN Direct” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. This content was written by Norm℠, reviewed and edited by Mikaela Tierney.

This content was generated with the assistance of NormSM, FBN’s artificial intelligence (AI) Ag Advisor, based on a dataset of information containing general industry best practices and research. The AI model did not use specific external sources to generate this content. Our process involves using AI to aid human subject matter experts with the initial drafting and/or refinement of content. The information and content provided is believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. The content is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific agronomic, business, or professional advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Neither Farmer's Business Network Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed. If you have any questions or feedback about the content, please feel free to contact us or visit our FAQ.

FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice and excludes CA mills tax and MN ACRRA fees. Terms and conditions apply.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license to use restricted use pesticides. Please consult your state department of agriculture for complete rules and regulations on the use of restricted use pesticides, as some products require specific record-keeping requirements.

*Willowood Imidacloprid 4SC is a restricted use pesticide.

*RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE Due to acute toxicity. For retail sale to and use by certified applicators only – NOT to be used by uncertified persons working under the supervision of a certified applicator.

Every product that labels WIREWORM as a weed, pest, or disease the product can be applied against is shown below. Click any product for label and more information.
Acceleron® I-374 Insecticide Seed TreatmentAcceleron® I-609 Insecticide Seed TreatmentAcceleron® IC-609Acceleron® IDL-810Acenthrin™Acronyx™ 2 FlowableAcronyx™ 4 FAdage™Adage™ STAdmire® ProAdvise® 2FLAdvise® FourAdvise® FourAlias® 2FAlias® 4FAncora® Microbial InsecticideAnnex® LFR®Arctic® 3.2 ECAthena™ Insecticide/MiticideAttendant® 480 FSAttendant® 600 FSAvenger™ S3™Avicta® Complete Beans 500Avicta® Complete Corn 250Avicta® Duo CornAvicta® Duo COT202Avicta® Duo CottonAxcess™ Insecticide Seed TreatmentAzera® InsecticideAztec® 2.1% Granular InsecticideAztec® 4.67 GAztec® HCAztec® HC SmartCartridge™Aztec® SmartBox® 4.67 GBatallion™ 10 WSPBatallion™ 2 ECBatallion™ LFCBaythroid® XLBelay® InsecticideBi-Dash 2EBifen 2 AG GoldBifen 25% ECBifender® FC InsecticideBifenthrin 2EC InsecticideBifenture® 10DFBifenture® ECBifenture® LFCBioST™ Insecticide 100BioST™ Nematicide 100Bolton™BotaniGard® 22WPBotaniGard® ESBrigade® 2EC Insecticide/MiticideBrigade® WSB InsecticideBrigadier® InsecticideCapture® 2EC-CALCapture® 3RIVE 3DCapture® LFR®Cavalry™ IICerealStar™ Select STChlorpyrifos 15GChlorpyrifos 4E AGChlorpyrifos 4E-AGClariva® Elite BeansCobalt® AdvancedCobalt® InsecticideConcur® Seed TreatmentCortes™ Maxx InsecticideCounter® 15-G Lock'n Load®Counter® 15G Smartbox®Counter® 20G Lock'n Load®Counter® 20G Smartbox®Counter® 20G SmartCartridge®Couraze® 2FCouraze® 4Couraze® 4FCruiser® 5FSCruiser® 70 WSCruiser® Vibrance® QuattroCruiserMaxx®CruiserMaxx® AdvancedCruiserMaxx® APXCruiserMaxx® APX UncoloredCruiserMaxx® CerealsCruiserMaxx® EZCruiserMaxx® PeanutsCruiserMaxx® PlusCruiserMaxx® Vibrance®CruiserMaxx® Vibrance® CerealsCruiserMaxx® Vibrance® PulsesCrusader 2MECrusader® 1ECDeadlock™ GDebug® ONDebug® ONDebug® OptimoDebug® OptimoDebug® TresDebug® TresDebug® TurboDebug® TurboDeclare® InsecticideDeclare® InsecticideDefcon® 4.67GDefcon™ 2.1GDiazinon 50WDiazinon AG500Diazinon AG500Diazinon AG600 WBC InsecticideDiscipline® 2ECDiscipline® CADominus®Durivo®Dyna-Shield Conquest™Dyna-Shield® Foothold® Virock™Dyna-Shield® Foothold™ ExtraDyna-Shield® Imidacloprid 5Elliptica™Empower 2®Enhance® AWEnvirepel 50™Envirepel-38™Equity® VIPEquity™Ethos® 3D Insecticide/FungicideEthos® Elite LFR® Insecticide/BiofungicideEthos® XB Insecticide/FungicideFanfare® 2ECFanfare® ECFanfare® ESFastac® CS insecticideFirestone™Force® 10G HL SmartBox®Force® 10G HL Smartcartridge™Force® 3GForce® 3G SmartBox®Force® 6.5GForce® CSForce® EvoFortenza®Fortress® 5G InsecticideFrenzy AttackFrenzy VelozFurious® InsecticideGaucho® 600 FlowableGaucho® XT FlowableGCS Bifenthrin 2ECGCS Bifenthrin LFCGovern® 4EGrizzly® TooGrizzly® Z InsecticideHatchet® InsecticideHelix XTra®Helix® Vibrance®Hero® EWHero® InsecticideIMAX PlusImidan® 70-W (Water Soluble Bags)Imidashot DF InsecticideIndex® Liquid At-Plant InsecticideInLine® Soil Fungicide and NematicideINOVATE™ Seed ProtectantINOVATE™ System Kit (2 Pieces)INTEGO® SUITE Cereals OFINTEGO™ SUITE SoybeansINTEGO™ SUITE SystemKaiso® 24 WGKarate® InsecticideKarate® with Zeon™ TechnologyKendo® 22.8 CSKendo™ InsecticideKernel Guard® SupremeL - C InsecticideLambda TLambda-Cy AGLambda-Cy™ EC Insecticide-RUPLambdafos™ InsecticideLamcap® IILamcap™Lancer® 2ECLancer® FCLatitude®Legend™ 5L STLegumeStar™ Select STLorsban® 15G Granular InsecticideLorsban® 15G Smartbox®Lorsban® 75 WGLorsban® Advanced InsecticideLorsban®-4E InsecticideLumiderm®Lumisure®Lumivia®Lunge™ InsecticideMachete® InsecticideMacho® 2.0 FLMacho® 4.0 FlowableMacho® 480 STMacho® 600 STMajestene®Malice® 2FManticor™ LFR® In-Furrow Fungicide/InsecticideMatch-Up™ InsecticideMidash 2SC Ag InsecticideMidash Forte InsecticideMocap® 15% Granular Lock’N LoadMocap® 15% Granular Nematicide-InsecticideMocap® EC Nematicide-InsecticideMontana® 2FMontana® 4FMovento®Movento® HLMovento® MPCMustang® InsecticideMustang® MaxxMycotrol® ESOMycotrol® WPONipsIt INSIDE® InsecticideNipsIt® SUITE Cereals OF Seed ProtectantNitro Shield®Nitro Shield® IVNufarm Lambda-Cyhalothrin 1EC InsecticideNufos® 4E (RUP)Nuprid® 2SC Soil/Foliar InsecticideNuprid® 4.6F ProNuprid® 4F Max InsecticideNurizma™ InsecticideObelisk™Omni® Brand Imidacloprid 2F Flowable InsecticideParadigm®Paradigm® VCPerm-UP® 3.2 ECPermaStar™ AG InsecticidePermethrinPermethrin 3.2 AGPermethrin 3.2 ECPermethrin 3.2 EC (70506-9-5905)PFR-97® 20% WDGPlatinum®Platinum® 75 SGPoncho® 600 Seed TreatmentPoncho® BetaPoncho® VOTiVO®Poncho® Votivo® Precise Seed TreatmentPoncho® Votivo® Seed TreatmentPoncho® XC Seed TreatmentPounce® 1.5GPrecept™ InsecticideProaxis® InsecticideProaxis® InsecticideProaxis™Province® IIProvince™Provoke™Rancona® CrestRancona® Crest WRRango™Ravage®Raxil® PRO ShieldRegent® 4 SC insecticideResonate™ 480 STResonate™ 600 STRespect® insecticideReveal®Reveal® CAReveal® Endurx™Revere® 2.0Revize® Imida STRimon® 0.83ECRuckus™ LFR® InsecticideSalient™ TMI Seed TreatmentSativa® IM RTU Seed TreatmentSativa® IMF Max Seed TreatmentSativa® IMF Sembolite™ MaxSaurus™Seed Shield® BeansSeed Shield® CerealsSeed Shield® SoybeanSeguroSenator® 600 FSSerpent™ 1 ECSharda Imidacloprid 5SCSilencer®Silencer® VXN™Skyraider®SlugbugSmartChoice® HCSmartChoice™ 5G Lock 'n LoadSmartChoice™ 5G SmartBoxSniper®Sniper® Helios®Sniper® LFR®SoyStar™ Elite STSoyStar™ Premier STSoyStar™ Select STSoyStar™ Supreme STSpirato® IMTm 348 FSSTartUP™ BIFEN Seed TreatmentSTartUP™ IMIDA Seed TreatmentSteed® InsecticideSultrus™Swagger®Tailgunner™TebuStar® Elite STTebuStar® IM Extra STTebuStar® IM STTelone® C-17 Soil Fungicide and NematicideTelone® C-35 Soil Fungicide and NematicideTelone® II Soil FumigantTELONE™ C-35 Soil Fungicide and NematicideTELONE™ II Soil FumigantTemitry™ LFR®Tempest™ Dual-Action InsecticideTenkoz® Permethrin 3.2 ECTepera® PlusTepera® Plus HDTepera® Plus HDTeraxxa™ F4 Seed TreatmentTeraxxa™ Seed TreatmentThimet® 20-G EZ Load®Thimet® 20-G Lock 'N Load®Thimet® 20-G SmartBox®Tide Imidacloprid 2FTide Imidacloprid 4FTombstone™Tombstone™ Helios®Tundra® EC (1381-196)Tundra® LFCTundra® SupremeUpShot™ Soybean Seed TreatmentVenerate® CGVenerate® XCVigilance NematicideViloprid™ FC 1.7Voltage Endurx®Vulcan®Warden® Cereals 360Warden® Cereals HRWarden® Cereals WRWarden® Cereals WRIIWarden® CXWarden® CX IIWarhawk®Warhawk® ClearForm®Warrior II with Zeon Technology®Whirlwind®Widow® InsecticideWillowood Bifenthrin 2ECWillowood Imidacloprid 2SCWillowood Imidacloprid 4SCWillowood Imidacloprid 4STWillowood Lambda 1ECWillowood Lambda-Cy 1ECWrangler® InsecticideWrath® InsecticideXpedient® Plus™Xpedient® Plus™ VYuma® 4EZelto®