Wireworms

The primary use for methyl bromide is in the extermination of insect and rodent pests. Methyl bromide is used in space and stmctural fumigation except in California. The material is suitable for the fumigation of food commodities such as dried fmits, grain, flour, and nuts, and the faciHties in which these foods are processed or stored, as weU as for tobacco and many kinds of nursery stock. The usual dosage is 2—4 kg/28 m for 12—24 h. In soil fumigation methyl bromide controls weed seeds, nematodes, wireworms, and soil fungi. The usual dosage is 0.5—1 kg/9 m for 24 h at 16°C and above (82). 

In 1947 growers in Louisiana who applied measures to control wireworms increased the yield of cane by 20 tons per acre and the acre yield in sugar by 3500 pounds. 

In the years 1947 and 1948 the growers of lima beans in a single county in California increased their returns by 7,500,000 by controlling wireworms. 

One of the first considerations in the use of any chemical is possible accumulations of harmful residues in soils. Evidence proves beyond any doubt that many of the newer compounds remain in the soil for at least 5 years. How much longer they may persist, time alone can determine. We know that both selenium and molybdenum can be picked up from soils by plants, which thus become extremely toxic to animals, even when plants themselves are apparently unharmed. Often a given piece of land may be treated safely as far as one crop is concerned but another crop may be injured. For example, potatoes will tolerate large amounts of DDT in the soil as a means of controlling wireworms which are extremely destructive melons, on the other hand, are severely injured by excessive DDT in the soil. There can be no assurance in many cases as to the ultimate use of any... 

Dogger, J. R., Insect Control Conference with Industry, Univ. Wisconsin, Wireworms Bull.,... 

After 10 years of research on wireworm control in California, the application of recommended agricultural chemicals on lima beans to control this pest added 7,500,000 in income to growers in 1948. Only in recent months has it been known that this same pest reduces the production of sugar cane in some areas by nearly half consequently it is now possible to double the yield in those areas by controlling this one insect. 

Wireworms are controlled by cultural practices in Louisiana, or by the application of 2 or 3 pounds per acre of chlordan or toxaphene in limited areas. Florida uses 40,000 pounds of chlordan per year for wireworm control at planting time. 

The pH of a soil governs the availability of nutrients to plants. In very acidic soil, plant foods may be washed out, or dissolve in the soil water at toxic levels. At the alkaline end of the scale, plant foods may be locked up in the soil, unavailable to plants. Plants that can grow in more extreme pHs have adapted to deal with these problems. Soil pH also has an effect on the diversity, and activity, of soil life. The pests leatherjackets and wireworms are... 

What to do Ensure that land is well-drained. When growing vegetables, use a strict crop rotation. Control woundforming pests like wireworms, slugs, and root-damaging larvae. Once rot has started, there is no cure. Dispose of or bury infected plant material. 

What to do Damage is most severe on newly cultivated land. Cultivate the soil during winter to expose larvae to birds and other predators. Lift potatoes in early fall to limit damage. In greenhouses, trap wireworms on spiked pieces of potato or carrot buried in the soil. Remove regularly and destroy. 

Grow the green manure mustard on the area. It is said to speed up the life cycle. Biological control The nematode used for vine weevil (q.v.) may have some effect against wireworms. 

Synonym Bencarbate, Dycarb, Ficam, Garvox, Multamat, Multimet, NC 6897, Niomil, Rotate, Seedox, Tatto, Turcam Chemical Name 2,3-isopropylidenedioxyphenyl methylcarbamate 2,2-dimethyl-l,3-benzodioxol-4-yl methyl-carbamate Uses contact insecticide used to control beetles, wireworms, flies, wasps, and mosquitoes in beets and maize. 

Pentanoic acid) (aliphatic carboxylic acid) (Valerianaceae) [oil] other essential oils californicus, sugar beet wireworm)... 

Aldrin from Corn. The most important use of aldrin is as a soil insecticide under corn. Here it is usually incorporated in the soil at application rates of 1-2 lb./acre to a depth of 3-4 inches. In muck soils the rate may be as high as 5 lb./acre. It is used to control the com rootworm and wireworm complexes plus other soil insects. 

Aldicarb is a systemic insecticide/acaricide/nematocide used against aphids, mites, Colorado potato beetles, thrips, boll weevils, leafhoppers, wireworms, leafminers, nematodes, and many others in citrus, cotton, ornamentals, peanuts, soybeans, sugar beets, sugar cane, tobacco, etc. Its oral LD50 in rats is 1 mg/kg. 

Figure 10.6 Relationship between generations per year and development of resistance in species selected by soil application of aldrin/dieldrin. 1 and II, root maggots III, southern potato wireworm IV, northern corn rootworm V, European chafer VI, Japanese beetle VII, sugarcane wireworm. (From Georghiou, G.P. and Taylor, C.E., in Pesticide Resistance Strategies ami Tactics for Management, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1986,157 With permission.)...

After strawberries no other crops should be grown for at least 3-4 years or, if there has been infection with red root rot (Phytophthora fragariae), at least 15 years. To allow sufficient time for careful preparation of the bed where the strawberries are to be planted, the previous crop should be removed 4-6 weeks before planting. Suitable previous crops are 1-year artificial meadows, oil radish, rapeseed, mustard, buckwheat, winter cereals or vegetables (except Fabaceae). Previous crops that are unsuitable are natural meadows which have been turned over less than 3 years ago (because of weeds, white grubs, wireworms and nematodes), potatoes and tomatoes (because of Rhizoctonia and Verticillium sp.), phacelia (because of rhizome rot) and weed-infested crops. 

Virgin female sugar beet wireworms [Limonius californicus (Man-... 

Features such as mountains and large bodies of water restrict the spread of many pests. Other features of the landscape can have similar effects. Soil type is a prime factor affecting wireworms, grubs, nematodes, and other soil organisms. Some pests live in heavy, poorly drained soil, others in light, sandy soils. Soil type also affects the distribution of plants (including weeds), which in turn affects the population of insects and other plant pests. 

Harvest Timing—Crops should not be left in the field after matnrity if they are snsceptible to pest attack. For example, wireworm damage to matnre potatoes canses a serions qnality reduction. Damage increases if the crop is left in the ground even for a very short time after matnrity. 

Plant yellow and stunted, wilts during hot days and recovers at night. Causes Wire-worms bean leaf beetle larvae root knot nematodes. If you suspect any of these pests, pull up a plant and examine the roots. Wireworm larvae are up to 1 A", yellow to reddish brown, slender, tough-bodied, segmented grubs. Adults are A" long, dark-colored, elongated click beetles. Apply parasitic nematodes to the soil to control. 

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