Wireworms
Agriotes sp.
Causative agent
The species most frequently encountered in France belong to the Wireworm genus:
A. obscurus, A. sputator and A. lineatus.
The wireworm is a small beetle of 6 to 12 mm in length whose colour varies from bright yellow to blackish brown.
The progression cycle is spread over 5 years.
Two annual rising cycles are generally noted, one in the spring, and the other at the end of summer.
Description of symptoms on crops
The insects have little action on the potato's growth; on the other hand, they feed on the tuber flesh by digging tunnels which damage the potato's appearance.
The damage can be seen particularly following favourable use (meadows, fallow land, etc.) and with simplified soil cultivation techniques.
 |
 |
Control
- Carry out tillage operations at laying time (the eggs and young larvae are very sensitive to dryness);
- Total or partial treatment of the soil along the furrows with a soil insecticide approved for this purpose;
- Control when rotating with other sensitive plants (maize, sunflower, beetroot, etc.)
