Wireworms in Tobacco ( Agriotes spp. )
Although the colors vary according to the species in Wireworms (Agriotes spp.), the colors of the adults are generally between gray and black. Their bodies are long and flat, and the body tapers back. Upper wings (elitra) longitudinally striped and dotted. Their length is usually around 8-10 cm. They make a "snap" sound when flipped or jumping.
Larvae are waxy yellow in color. Their bodies are slender and cylindrical, with a hard structure. The rings are prominent. When touched, they curl with harsh movements.
Wireworms spend the winter as larvae and adults. Larvae spend the winter in the depths of the soil, while the adults spend the winter in the cells they form in the soil, under grass piles or in places suitable for hiding. In the spring, the larvae approach the soil surface and feed. Adults also leave their place and begin to feed and mate. Mating females lay their eggs one by one or in clusters of 30-40 pieces 10-15 cm deep into the soil until mid-July. A female lays up to 150 eggs. It takes 30-40 days for the eggs to hatch. The emerging larvae immediately begin to feed. However, many deaths occur in the first periods, especially because they are very sensitive to drought. Larvae complete their development in 3-4 years on average. Mature larvae go down to a depth of 30-40 cm in the soil in summer and become pupae in a cocoon. The adults that emerge in the summer remain in the soil until the following spring. They give offspring every 3-5 years.
Although adults are fed on tobacco leaves, their damage is not significant. The larvae feed on the underground organs of the plants, break the thin roots, and the plants with damaged roots dry out easily. Mature larvae cause more severe damage.
The pest is found in the tobacco areas of the Aegean, Marmara and Black Sea Regions and Southeastern Anatolia Region.
Wireworms are polyphagous. Tobacco, corn, wheat, barley, oats, sugar beet, cotton, onions and potatoes are among the most harmful plants.
There are no natural enemies detected in the tobacco plant of the wireworm.
- Although the larvae seem resistant, they are very sensitive to environmental conditions. Cold and dry conditions reduce the population.
-Tilting done in late summer or autumn when the wormwood is close to the surface causes a great deal of death.
- Permanent or temporary meadows in or around the field, which protect the young larvae well against drought, should be plowed in summer.
-Irrigation that saturates the soil is very effective in killing wireworms.
In the surveys, when there are 6-15 larvae per square meter, the struggle is carried out.
Back sprayer (mechanical, automatic, motorized) and bucket with strainer are used in spraying.
The medicated water is mixed thoroughly and pulverized to the soil surface. The soil is mixed to a depth of 15-20 cm. In tobacco nurseries, plant protection products are also disposed of with the help of a filter bucket.
*Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Protection Technical Instructions Vol:2