Cereals: Wireworms (Limonius spp. and others)

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Pub 812: Field Crop Protection Guide > Chapter 4: Cereals > Wireworms

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

Table of Contents

1. Description
2. Integrated Pest Management Options
   • Seed Treatment
• thiamethoxam – Cruiser 5 FS
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.

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Integrated Pest Management Options

Seed Treatment

See OMAFRA Publication 811, Agronomy Guide for Field Crops, for sampling methods. 1 wireworm/bait trap warrants control.

Active ingredient	thiamethoxam
Trade name	Cruiser 5 FS
Rate (product)	33-50 mL per 100 kg seed
Comments	For use in wheat and barley. For use in commercial seed treatment facilities only. Use higher rate in fields with history of high infestations of larvae. Do not graze or feed livestock on treated areas for 45 days after planting.

 

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Related links...

• Agronomy Guide for Field Crops - Publication 811
  • Cereal: Wireworms
• Insects
• Cereals