The Seasonal Movements of Wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in Relation to Soil Moisture and Temperature in the Organic Soils of Southwestern Quebec

Abstract

A 4-year study in the virgin organic soils of southwestern Quebec revealed that most elaterid larvae moved from the subsurface to the top 10 in. of soil in early May, when the soil temperature at a depth of 4 in. was approximately 35°F. This upward movement readied its peak when the topsoil moisture content was 200% and the soil temperature at 4 in., 55°F. In early June, when the soil temperature reached 67°F, the larvae began to move downward and very few larvae were found in the first top layers of soil when the temperature was above 72°F. This downward movement lasted until the end of August and again the larvae moved up to feed near the surface of the soil until the first frost, usually recorded in mid-November. The data indicate that June to early September is generally the most favourable period for growing vegetables.

Environmental Influences On Soil Macroarthropod Behavior In Agricultural Systems

“…Ctenicera destructor and Hypolithus bicolor, two commonly co-occurring wireworms in Canada, have significantly different ranges of optimal temperatures for activity that are based on laboratory studies (115). These findings have been corroborated in field studies with numerous wireworm species (11,30,54,61,116). Species-specific preferred temperature ranges have also been reported for scarab grubs, from both correlative field (98) and laboratory studies (105).…”

“…Early workers correlated changes in moisture conditions with the occurrence, persistence, and damage potential of soil insects in the field (51,61,98,115).…”

Use of Radiography in Behavioral Studies of Turfgrass-Infesting Scarab Grub Species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

“…Although there have been field studies that look at the movement of soil insects over Long periods (Forbes 1907, Griddle 1918, McCollock & Hayes 1923, Mail 1930, Dowdy 1944, Hawley 1949, LaFrance 1968, Fisher et al 1975, these studies considered the soil insects found i n the top 5 cm as being at the surface layer. Detailed k110w1-edge of the movement of grubs within the top 5 cm over short periods can have a profound effect on pest management.…”

The biology and management of wireworms (Agriotes spp.) on potato with particular reference to the U.K.

“…migrated rapidly out of dry sand in favour of wet sand, due entirely to the differential effect of moisture on burrowing activity. Lafrance (1968) conducted a 4-year study of the seasonal movements of populations of mixed wireworm species (including Agriotes mancus (Say) and a range of other genera) in organic soils in Quebec. This study showed that most wireworms moved from deeper in the soil pro®le to the top 20 cm when 10 cm soil temperatures reached » 3°C.…”