Control methods and monitoring of Agriotes wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to review and interpret relevant work on population monitoring, damage prediction, agronomic strategies, and chemical as well as biological control of Agriotes wireworms in Europe. Wireworm populations and damages are on the rise globally. During the past decade, particularly research on the determination and distribution of Agriotes species has been brought forward. Summarising the recent click beetle surveys throughout Europe, the most widespread destructive species is A. lineatus, followed by A. obscurus and A. sputator. Developing species specific control methods seems to be advisable as Agriotes species differ greatly from one another concerning biology, ecology and crop preferences. Additionally, there are great regional differences in the distribution of species depending on factors such as climate and landscape parameters. Therefore, it is important to reliably determine the wire-worm species as well as mapping their regional distribution. When selecting an insecticide, it is crucial to consider the need to provide both stand protection and wireworm reduction as certain insecticides act either as repellents or allow an extensive recovery of wireworms. However, the lack of efficacious insecticides and increasing wireworm pressure has intensified the need to evaluate alternative management strategies. Concerning wireworm control by agricultural methods, first encouraging data have been obtained in the fields of trap crops and crop rotation. However, their implementation in IPM strategies is still limited. Most promising seems the use of entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, and their combination with either nematodes or insecticides. However, products for their commercial use still have to be developed. Currently, damage prediction and reliable control strategies are still challenging and need further investigation. Economic thresholds in susceptible crops need to be established particularly for the most destructive Agriotes species. Finally, the knowledge about the species specific biology and ecology still needs to be completed.