Flooding Experiments for Control of Wireworms Attacking Vegetable Crops in the Everglades

Abstract

Either continuous or alternate flooding appears effective for control of Melanotus communis and Conoderus sp(p). The minimal effective continuous flooding period in these tests was 6 weeks. Since a 4-2-4 weekly alternation of flooding to drying repeatedly showed perfect control and since 2-2-2 alternations produced 71 to 87% mortality, it appears that a 3-2-3 alternation should normally be effective. Ecological factors resulting from flooding evidently are important and should be studied further. Birds attracted to impoundments are particularly beneficial.