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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