Managing Wireworms Using Preventive Insecticide Treatments in Cotton

Wireworms, a common cotton pest in the Texas High Plains, feed on germinating cotton seeds and emerging seedlings, destroying the plants and reducing the crop stand and yield. Two types of wireworms feed on cotton: true wireworms and false wireworms. True wireworms, commonly called click beetles, are members of the Elateridae family, while false wireworms, or darkling beetles, are from the Tenebrionidae family. This presentation will share results from field trials to evaluate impact of insecticide seed treatments and cultural practices on wireworms in cotton.