The Canadian Entomologist (2003) 135, 379-389

Robert S. Vernon, J. Todd Kabaluk and Anita M. Behringer (2003)
Aggregation of Agriotes obscurus (Coleoptera: Elateridae) at cereal bait stations in the field
The Canadian Entomologist 135 (3), 379-389
Abstract: Dusky wireworms, Agriotes obscurus (L.), aggregated in similar numbers at wheat [Triticum aestivum L. (Gramineae) 'Max'], oat [Avena sativa L. (Gramineae) 'Walderen'], barley [Hordeum vulgare L. (Gramineae) 'Verdin'], and fall rye [Secale cereale L. (Gramineae) 'Wheeler' and 'Prima'] cultivar bait stations containing 100 seeds planted 3 cm deep in 127-cm² circular bait stations. Similar levels of aggregation also occurred at 11 varieties of wheat planted at 100 seeds/127 cm². When wheat, oat, barley, and the fall rye cultivars were planted at increasing density (0-180 seeds per bait station), aggregation by A. obscurus increased initially, but reached a plateau at numbers and at seeding rates specific to each grain variety as determined using the asymptotic equation y = B0(1 - e^-B1x). Except for barley, this equation predicted wireworm densities within 11% of the densities actually observed at bait stations with 100 seeds/127 cm². It was concluded that any of the wheat, oat, barley, or fall rye varieties would be suitable for monitoring A. obscurus wireworm populations if planted in bait stations at 100 seeds/127 cm², as well as for aggregating wireworms by means of a trap crop.
(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, James Todd Kabaluk

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Agriotes obscurus	Barley (Hordeum vulgare)	Canada (west)
	Agriotes obscurus	Oat (Avena sativa)	Canada (west)
	Agriotes obscurus	Rye (Secale cereale)	Canada (west)
	Agriotes obscurus	Wheat (Triticum)	Canada (west)