(Melanotus, Limonius, Conoderus, and Ctenicera spp)
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Wireworms are cream to brown, slender larvae up to 1-1/4 inches long. The body covering is shiny and somewhat hardened. Feeding damage to seeds, roots, and the underground stem causes stand reductions.
Soil conditions that delay germination and plant growth increase the likelihood of damage. The larvae may live from 1 to 7 years in the soil, depending on the species. Infestations can be more severe following sod, cover crops, or fallow. Wireworms are found throughout the Midwest and South. |