Journal of Economic Entomology (2008) 101, 365-374

R.S. Vernon, W. Van Herk, J. Tolman, H. Ortiz Saavedra, M. Clodius and B. Gage (2008)
Transitional sublethal and lethal effects of insecticides after dermal exposures to five economic species of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae)
Journal of Economic Entomology 101 (2), 365-374
Abstract: During an insecticide toxicity study involving field-collected dusky wireworm, Agriotes obscurus (L.) (Coleoptera: Elateridae), wireworms exposed dermally to six classes of insecticides exhibited characteristic transitional symptoms of toxicity. These symptoms, collectively termed 'morbidity,' were categorized as 'writhing,' 'leg and mouthpart movements,' or 'mouthpart-only body movements.' These symptoms could persist for long periods, depending on insecticide and dose, with morbid wireworms ultimately recovering or dying. Additional LC₅₀ and LD₅₀ toxicity studies showed that these stages of morbidity also occurred in four other wireworm species, notably Agriotes sputator (L.), Limonius canus LeConte, Ctenicera pruinina (Horn), and Ctenicera destructor (Brown). In addition, all species exposed dermally to clothianidin moved in significant numbers to the surface of soil in posttreatment holding cups. This movement was not observed when these species were exposed to chlorpyrifos or the control solvent. These findings suggest that toxicity trials involving wireworms should include observations on morbidity, and the duration of trials should continue until symptoms of morbidity cease. The long-term morbidity and potential recovery or death of wireworms exposed to certain insecticides has implications for how laboratory and field studies can be better designed and interpreted in the future.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Robert S. Vernon, Willem G. van Herk

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Agriotes obscurus		Canada (west)
	Agriotes sputator		Canada (east)
	Limonius canus		Canada (west)
	Ctenicera destructor	Barley (Hordeum vulgare)	Canada (west)
	Ctenicera pruinina		U.S.A. (NW)