Orientation of Corn-Infesting Species of Wireworms Toward Baits in the Laboratory1

Abstract

Wireworm attractancy to 19 materials was evaluated in 13 laboratory experiments. Melanotus depressus (Melsheimer) larvae were most frequently attracted to wheat seeds; 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 corn-wheat mixtures; corn seeds; Dorito's® edible corn chips; and chopped carrots. Melanotus verberans (LeConte) larvae showed preferences for corn chips, 1:1 and 1:2 corn-wheat mixtures, wheat, chopped turnips, grain sorghum seeds, and corn. Larvae of M. opacicollis LeConte were in an apparently non-feeding phase that prevented observation of preferences of the materials tested. Limonius dubitans (LeConte) larvae showed attractancy to chopped red potatoes, wheat, carrots, and pinto beans. If all species were considered, baits of wheat, 1:1 corn-wheat mixture, turnips, and corn chips attracted a mean of over 4 wireworms per site.