Corn: Wireworms (Limonius spp. and others)

Pub 812: Field Crop Protection Guide > Chapter 1: Corn > Wireworm

Field Crop Protection Guide 2011-2012, Order 2011-2012 publication

Table of Contents

  1. Description
  2. Integrated Pest Management Options
  3. Related Links


Description

Wireworms are larvae that are 7-35 mm long, cylindrical, copper-brown-coloured and hardened (Image 1). Adult wireworms are beetles that have the ability to flip themselves upright when placed on their backs, making an audible click as they do, giving them their name "click beetles."

Image 1. Wireworms have long, cylindrical, copper-brown, hardened bodies. They affect many crops, usually when following grassy crops in the rotation.
Image 1. Wireworms have long, cylindrical, copper-brown, hardened bodies. They affect many crops, usually when following grassy crops in the rotation.

Integrated Pest Management Options

Seed Treatment

The risk factors for wireworm infestations include fields with a history of cereal/corn/grassy weeds, sandy soils, history of wireworm problems and fields that are coming out of sod.

Threshold is one wireworm per bait trap. For bait trap information, see OMAFRA Publication 811, Agronomy Guide for Field Crops (also available on the OMAFRA website at www.ontario.ca/crops)

 
Active ingredient clothianidin
Trade name Poncho 250
Rate (product) 33.3 mL per 80,000 kernels
Comments For use in commercial seed treatment facilities only. Seed-applied insecticides can affect seed drop and final plant stands. Use talc or graphite according to planter recommendations to ensure planting accuracy. A 30-day plantback interval for cereal grains, grasses, soybeans and dried beans is required.

 

 
Active ingredient imidacloprid
Trade name Gaucho 480 FL
Rate (product) 27 mL per 80,000 kernels
Comments For use in commercial seed treatment facilities only. Seed-applied insecticides can affect seed drop and final plant stands. Use talc or graphite according to planter recommendations to ensure accuracy.

 

 
Active ingredient thiamethoxam
Trade name Cruiser 5 FS
Rate (product) 16.7 mL per 80,000 kernels
Comments For use in commercial seed treatment facilities only. Seed-applied insecticides can affect seed drop and final plant stands. Use talc or graphite according to planter recommendations to ensure planting accuracy. Do not graze or feed livestock on treated areas for 45 days after planting.

 

Soil-Applied at Planting Only

In-furrow application is safer to the applicator and non-target animals than T-band application.

 
Active ingredient tefluthrin
Trade name Force 3 G
Rate (product) 37.5 g per 100 m (328 ft) row
Comments In-furrow applications only. Place directly in the seed furrow behind the planter disc openers.

 

Related Links


For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
Local: (519) 826-4047
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
Author: OMAFRA Staff
Creation Date: 2 May 2011
Last Reviewed: 10 May 2011