Wire worm
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Wire Worms
 Adult Adult wire worms are the familiar click beetles. The body of the tobacco wire worm is flattened, somewhat tapered, hard, 7 to 11 mm in length, and reddish-brown with yellow markings. The southern potato wireworm adult is brownish (some are black) with tan legs and 6.0 to 8.5 mm long.Egg - Eggs of tobacco wire worm are white, spherical, and about 0.5 mm in diameter. Eggs of the southern potato wire worm are similar. Larva - Newly hatched tobacco wire worm larvae are 1.5 mm long and white. Fully developed larvae are yellowish-brown and 14 to 19 mm long. Tobacco wire worm larvae can be distinguished from southern potato wire worm larvae because the tobacco wireworm's last segment terminates in a V-shaped notch rather than in the almost closed, oval notch of the southern potato wireworm. Pupa - Tobacco wire worm pupae are first white, but later change to reddish-brown. They are slightly larger than the adults (about 12.7 mm in length). Southern potato wireworm pupae are also slightly larger than adults and change from white to creamy yellow.
Susceptible Plants- Potato, strawberry, brassicas, beans, beets, carrot, lettuce, onion, and tomato, also ornamentals, including, anemone, carnation, dahlia, gladioli, and primula.
Symptoms- The roots corn tubers, and stems of many plants are attacked, most severely in spring and autumn, but damage can occur throughout the year. Potatoes show small entry holes1/16-1/4 in(2-3mm) across and when cut open a network of tunnels runs through the tubes. Later these holes may be enlarged by slugs and millipedes. Prevention and Control- Damage is most severe on newly cultivated land. Cultivate the soil during winter to expose the wire worm larvae to the birds and other predators. Lift potatoes in early to limit the damage. In greenhouses trap wireworms on spiked pieces of potato and carrot buried in the soil. Remove regularly and destroy. Expose homemade compost to birds and other predators before use if infested with wireworms. Grow green manure mustard on infested areas which is said to speed up the life cycle. Biological Control- Beneficial Nematodes
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