Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection (2014) 121, 133-137

Claudia Ritter, Ellen Richter, Irena Knölck and Kai-Uwe Katroschan (2014)
Laboratory studies on the effect of calcium cyanamide on wireworms (Agriotes ustulatus, Coleoptera: Elateridae)
Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection 121 (3), 133-137
Abstract: The fertilizer calcium cyanamide (CaCN₂) is often used due to its sanitary effect in the soil. Among other application areas, it has been described to have a lethal effect on various insect species of different orders. Wireworms of the genus Agriotes spp. (Coleoptera: Elateridae) are severe and widespread agricultural root damaging pests affecting numerous crops and weeds. Previous work on CaCN₂ against wireworms has mainly been limited to identify and evaluate crop protection rates. This paper, however, focuses on the effect of CaCN₂ on wireworms. Therefore, we investigated the mortal and repellent impact of CaCN₂ on late instar larvae of Agriotes ustulatus in soil without plant material under laboratory conditions. Our results indicate a non-toxic, yet repellent, character of CaCN₂ on wireworms. However, these results are not sufficient to conclude that CaCN₂ will work as a wireworm-repellent in the field. Trials including both, a food source and wireworms in feeding state, will be needed for a substantial conclusion. Finally, our findings give evidence that further investigations are reasonable.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Claudia Ritter

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Agriotes ustulatus