How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Sugarbeet
Wireworms
Scientific names: Agriotes spp. and Limonius spp.
(Reviewed 11/05,
updated 1/10)
In this Guideline:
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Wireworms are beetle larva that are found in soil where they feed on
roots. They are yellowish brown, thin worms that have a shiny, tough skin. Adults of the wireworms are click beetles, so
named because their elongated bodies are capable of producing a clicking sound.
Only the larval stage causes damage.
Wireworms feed on roots of emerging plants, killing
the seedlings and reducing the stand. As
plants mature, wireworms may girdle the stem. Be sure to dig around the plant
and look for wireworm larvae to confirm that they are the cause of injury.
Cultural Control
In fields known to contain wireworm larvae, fallow during summer
with frequent tillage (springtooth or disk). Damage from wireworm infestations
to the crop when it is in the seedling stage can sometimes be reduced by
replanting. Rotate to nonhost crops if possible; contact your county farm
advisor for information regarding nonhosts. Do not plant a susceptible host
crop following a crop that has had a heavy infestation of wireworm without
fallowing/tilling or applying a pesticide.
Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
Wireworm infestations are difficult to detect before visible plant injury
occurs. They are most likely to be found in a sugarbeet field when sugarbeet
follows a long-term legume crop or natural or temporary pasture.
Chemical controls are ineffective or impossible to apply to
wireworms attacking a standing crop. If used, chemicals must be applied as
preplant or seed treatments.
| Common name |
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R.E.I.+ |
P.H.I.+ |
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Amount/Acre |
(hours) |
(days) |
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| When choosing a pesticide, consider information relating to natural
enemies and honey bees as
well as the environmental impact. Not all registered pesticides are listed.
Always read label of product being used.
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| A. |
CHLORPYRIFOS |
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(Lorsban) 15G |
8 oz/1000 row ft |
24 |
30 |
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MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B |
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COMMENTS: Offers suppression only. Apply in-furrow at planting time. T-band or band at planting or postemergence. |
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UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Sugarbeet
UC ANR Publication 3469
Insects and Mites
E.T. Natwick, UC Cooperative
Extension Imperial Co.
Acknowledgement for contributions to Insects and Mites:
C. G. Summers, Entomology, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
D. R. Haviland, UC IPM Program, Kern Co.
L. D. Godfrey, Entomology, UC Davis
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