R. W. Higginbotham

Tolerance of Wheat (Poales: Poaceae) Seedlings to Wireworm (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

ABSTRACT Wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae), the subterranean larval stage of the click beetle, are becoming more prevalent in many cropping systems and posing an increasing economic threat to wheat growers in the Pacific Northwest following the cancellation of the insecticide lindane in 2006. Current insecticide seed treatments alone are not adequate for wireworm control. The objective of this study was to evaluate a diverse set of 163 wheat genotypes for tolerance to wireworm feeding. Entries were planted in replicated field trials over 3 yr and evaluated for their performance when grown in the presence of wireworms. Entries were rated based on survival and given a tolerance score. Results indicated that differences exist among wheat genotypes in their level of tolerance to wireworm feeding. In particular, consistently high-ranking genotypes of interest may be ‘BR 18’, ‘Sonalika’, ‘Safed Lerma’, and ‘Hollis’. These genotypes, used in conjunction with other cultural or chemical control methods, may help provide an economic means of controlling wireworms.