The Canadian Entomologist (2002) 134, 357-367

D.R. Horton and P.J. Landolt (2002)
Orientation response of Pacific coast wireworm (Coleoptera: Elateridae) to food baits in laboratory and effectiveness of baits in field
The Canadian Entomologist 134 (3), 357-367
Abstract: Assays were done in the laboratory and field to monitor the response of Pacific coast wireworm, Limonius canus LeConte, to food baits. A glass-plate assay was used in laboratory trials to study movement of wireworm larvae through soil in response to several food baits, including germinating seeds of grains, rolled oats [Avenu sauva L. (Poaceae)], carrot [Daucus carota L. (Umbelliferae)], and potato [Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanaceae)]. Studies were also done with these baits to determine effectiveness under field conditions. In both laboratory and field trials, germinating seed of wheat [Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae)] and barley [Hordeum vulgare L. (Poaceae)] ranked higher in response by larvae than the remaining food baits. In the glass-plate assays, 65-70% of wireworms contacted the wheat or barley seed baits within a 2-h assay period. Corn [Zea mays L. (Poaceae)] seed and sliced carrot were also effective, with 60% of larvae contacting the baits. Rice [Oryza sativa L. (Poaceae)], rye [Secale cereale L. (Poaceae)], and potato were contacted by 30-45% of larvae. In the majority of assays, contact with the bait occurred within 30 min of the start of the assay. Trail lengths varied substantially among larvae (0-70 cm). The field studies showed that all food baits captured more wireworms than unbaited traps. A second assay conducted in the laboratory showed that moistened rolled oats were contacted with a higher probability if oats were aged 72 h following wetting (51% of larvae contacted the bait) than oats used immediately following wetting (28% of larvae). Field trials using baits composed of different volumes of rolled oats showed little evidence of a dose response in capture rates of L. canus, although all baits captured more wireworms than unbaited traps. These studies showed that L. canus is attracted to food baits in both laboratory and field trials, and that baits may prove useful to monitor populations of this pest in the field.
(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): David R. Horton, Peter J. Landolt

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Limonius canus