A simple method for breeding wireworms of the genus Agriotes under controlled conditions

Abstract

Wireworms, the larvae of click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae), damage a wide range of important crops such as maize or potatoes, and are notorious soil dwelling pests worldwide. Because of damage upsurge since 15 years, mainly due to wireworms in the genus Agriotes, understanding their ecology and the factors influencing their pest potential have become a key issue in crop protection. Usually, bioassays to test control methods against wireworms are performed with larvae collected in the field. As infestations are difficult to predict, the provisioning is difficult. Moreover, Agriotes species are difficult to differentiate at larval stage whereas their biological cycle and harmfulness are potentially different according to the environmental conditions and their larval instar. In this context, we have developed a protocol to breed wireworms of Agriotes obscurus, A. lineatus and A. sputator. When using this method, a large number of larvae can be produced for bioassays.