Advances in managing wireworms in cereal crops: challenges and future directions

Wireworms are the immature stage of click beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae) species. Several species of wireworms are considered serious pests of agricultural crops, including small grains. Limited information with respect to objective species- and crop-specific economic injury levels, effective insecticides, and integrated pest management protocols have resulted in devastating yield losses in severely infested small grain fields. This chapter provides a review of what is known about wireworm ecology and management, focusing on the most recent advances in species identification, within-species population variation, and species-specific research on their management with respect to pest monitoring, prevention, cultural, biological, and chemical control methods. Throughout, the existing knowledge gaps will be highlighted and avenues for future research proposed.