Seasonal population dynamics of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in Florida sugarcane fields

Abstract

Wireworms are important insect pests of Florida sugarcane. The objective of this study was to determine the seasonal population dynamics of wireworms in Florida sugarcane. In a preliminary test, significantly more total numbers of wireworms were found under sugarcane stools than between stools in a row or between rows. Hence, the sugarcane stool was used as the sampling site for wireworms in the population dynamics study. A sugarcane field was sampled for wireworms monthly from Jun 2004 to Jun 2006. The total number of wireworms was significantly less in the summer than other seasons and these wireworms were also significantly smaller at this time. Data in this study should be useful to southern Florida growers in understanding expected wireworm damage in different seasons.