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Wireworms (Elateridae)

Scientific Name: Elateridae
Type: Insects & Mites

Control Options for Wireworms on Potatoes

Material Application per Acre REI
(hours)		 PHI
(days)		 MOA Efficacy Notes
dichloropropene
(Telone II) 		20-25 gal 5 d - 11 G-F Apply when wireworms are present. Soil temperature at application depth must be > 50°F or wireworms may be too deep. Use 20 gal/A for mineral soil or 25 gal/A for muck. Shank-in at 14-inch depth or more, or at least 18-inch depth if also targeting nematodes.
dichloropropene
(Telone II)
Application per Acre 20-25 gal
REI (hours) 5 d PHI (days) — MOA 11
More details
Efficacy G-F
Notes Apply when wireworms are present. Soil temperature at application depth must be > 50°F or wireworms may be too deep. Use 20 gal/A for mineral soil or 25 gal/A for muck. Shank-in at 14-inch depth or more, or at least 18-inch depth if also targeting nematodes.

Material Application per Acre REI
(hours)		 PHI
(days)		 MOA Efficacy Notes
imidacloprid
(Admire Pro (seed treatment)) 		See Label - - 4A P It can reduce wireworm damage to seed-pieces, but it will not prevent most damage to daughter tubers during the growing season. Apply at 0.17-0.35 fl oz/100 lb seed.
clothianidin
(Belay (seed treatment)) 		See Label - - 4A P It can reduce wireworm damage to seed-pieces, but it will not prevent damage to daughter tubers during the growing season. Apply at 0.4-0.6 fl oz/100 lb seed.
thiamethoxam + fludioxonil + difenoconazole
(Cruiser Maxx Potato Extreme) 		0.31 fl oz/100 lb seed 12 h - IRAC 4A; FRAC 12, 3 P It can control wireworms that feed on the seed piece but will not prevent damage to daughter tubers during the growing season.
thiamethoxam + fludioxonil
(Cruiser Maxx Potato Insecticide and Fungicide) 		See Label 12 h - IRAC 4A; FRAC 12 P It can control wireworms that feed on the seed piece, but it will not prevent most damage to daughter tubers during the growing season. Apply at 0.19-0.27 fl oz/100 lb seed.
thiamethoxam + fludioxonil + difenoconazole + sedaxane
(Cruiser Maxx Vibrance Potato) 		0.5 fl oz/100 lb seed 12 h - IRAC 4A; FRAC 12, 3, 7 P It can control wireworms that feed on the seed piece but will not prevent damage to daughter tubers during the growing season.
ethoprop
(Mocap 15% Granular (broadcast)) 		27-40 lb 72 h - 1B G Apply at a rate of 40 lbs/A to control wireworms and symphylans (80 lbs/A is used to control nematodes). The label suggests 2–4-inch incorporation for wireworms, but 6–8-inches may be better.
ethoprop
(Mocap EC (broadcast)) 		0.67-1 gal 72 h - 1B G Apply at a rate of 1 gal/A to control wireworms and symphylans (up to 2 gal/A can be used to control nematodes). The label suggests 2–4-inch incorporation for wireworms, but 6–8-inches may be better.
dichloropropene
(Telone II) 		20-25 gal 5 d - 11 G-F Apply when wireworms are present. Soil temperature at application depth must be > 50°F or wireworms may be too deep. Use 20 gal/A for mineral soil or 25 gal/A for muck. Shank-in at 14-inch depth or more, or at least 18-inch depth if also targeting nematodes.
imidacloprid
(Admire Pro (seed treatment))
Application per Acre See Label
REI (hours) — PHI (days) — MOA 4A
More details
Efficacy P
Notes It can reduce wireworm damage to seed-pieces, but it will not prevent most damage to daughter tubers during the growing season. Apply at 0.17-0.35 fl oz/100 lb seed.
clothianidin
(Belay (seed treatment))
Application per Acre See Label
REI (hours) — PHI (days) — MOA 4A
More details
Efficacy P
Notes It can reduce wireworm damage to seed-pieces, but it will not prevent damage to daughter tubers during the growing season. Apply at 0.4-0.6 fl oz/100 lb seed.
thiamethoxam + fludioxonil + difenoconazole
(Cruiser Maxx Potato Extreme)
Application per Acre 0.31 fl oz/100 lb seed
REI (hours) 12 h PHI (days) — MOA IRAC 4A; FRAC 12, 3
More details
Efficacy P
Notes It can control wireworms that feed on the seed piece but will not prevent damage to daughter tubers during the growing season.
thiamethoxam + fludioxonil
(Cruiser Maxx Potato Insecticide and Fungicide)
Application per Acre See Label
REI (hours) 12 h PHI (days) — MOA IRAC 4A; FRAC 12
More details
Efficacy P
Notes It can control wireworms that feed on the seed piece, but it will not prevent most damage to daughter tubers during the growing season. Apply at 0.19-0.27 fl oz/100 lb seed.
thiamethoxam + fludioxonil + difenoconazole + sedaxane
(Cruiser Maxx Vibrance Potato)
Application per Acre 0.5 fl oz/100 lb seed
REI (hours) 12 h PHI (days) — MOA IRAC 4A; FRAC 12, 3, 7
More details
Efficacy P
Notes It can control wireworms that feed on the seed piece but will not prevent damage to daughter tubers during the growing season.
ethoprop
(Mocap 15% Granular (broadcast))
Application per Acre 27-40 lb
REI (hours) 72 h PHI (days) — MOA 1B
More details
Efficacy G
Notes Apply at a rate of 40 lbs/A to control wireworms and symphylans (80 lbs/A is used to control nematodes). The label suggests 2–4-inch incorporation for wireworms, but 6–8-inches may be better.
ethoprop
(Mocap EC (broadcast))
Application per Acre 0.67-1 gal
REI (hours) 72 h PHI (days) — MOA 1B
More details
Efficacy G
Notes Apply at a rate of 1 gal/A to control wireworms and symphylans (up to 2 gal/A can be used to control nematodes). The label suggests 2–4-inch incorporation for wireworms, but 6–8-inches may be better.
dichloropropene
(Telone II)
Application per Acre 20-25 gal
REI (hours) 5 d PHI (days) — MOA 11
More details
Efficacy G-F
Notes Apply when wireworms are present. Soil temperature at application depth must be > 50°F or wireworms may be too deep. Use 20 gal/A for mineral soil or 25 gal/A for muck. Shank-in at 14-inch depth or more, or at least 18-inch depth if also targeting nematodes.

Material Application per Acre REI
(hours)		 PHI
(days)		 MOA Efficacy Notes
imidacloprid
(Admire Pro (soil application)) 		5.7-8.7 fl oz 12 h - 4A P It can reduce wireworm damage to seed-pieces, but it will not prevent damage to daughter tubers during the growing season.
clothianidin
(Belay (soil application)) 		9-12 fl oz 12 h - 4A P It can reduce wireworm damage to seed-pieces, but it will not prevent damage to daughter tubers during the growing season.
bifenthrin
(Brigade 2EC) 		9.6-19.2 fl oz 12 h 21 d 3 F-P Apply as a soil incorporated broadcast spray into the furrow at planting or at hilling to control wireworms.
ethoprop
(Mocap 15% Granular (banded)) 		See Label 72 h - 1B G Apply at a rate of 1.4 lbs. per 1,000 row feet to control wireworms and symphylans.
ethoprop
(Mocap EC (banded)) 		See Label 72 h - 1B G Apply at a rate of 4.4 fl. oz per 1,000 row feet to control wireworms and symphylans.
broflanilide
(Nurizma) 		See Label See Label 12 h - 30 E Use the highest labeled rate when wireworm pressure is high. It will also control white grubs.
thiamethoxam
(Platinum 75 SG) 		1.66-2.67 oz 12 h - 4A P It can control wireworms that feed on the seed piece, but it will not prevent most damage to daughter tubers during the growing season.
fipronil
(Regent 4SC) 		3.2 fl oz 0 h 90 d 2B E
spinosad
(Seduce Insect Bait) 		20-44 lb 4 h 7 d 5 F Wireworms are not mentioned on the label, but applications made to target other pests (earwigs, cutworms) can suppress wireworms. Trials conducted by Agriculture Development Group, Inc. found an application at 40 lbs. per acre significantly reduced wireworm damage in a heavy pressure situation.
imidacloprid
(Admire Pro (soil application))
Application per Acre 5.7-8.7 fl oz
REI (hours) 12 h PHI (days) — MOA 4A
More details
Efficacy P
Notes It can reduce wireworm damage to seed-pieces, but it will not prevent damage to daughter tubers during the growing season.
clothianidin
(Belay (soil application))
Application per Acre 9-12 fl oz
REI (hours) 12 h PHI (days) — MOA 4A
More details
Efficacy P
Notes It can reduce wireworm damage to seed-pieces, but it will not prevent damage to daughter tubers during the growing season.
bifenthrin
(Brigade 2EC)
Application per Acre 9.6-19.2 fl oz
REI (hours) 12 h PHI (days) 21 d MOA 3
More details
Efficacy F-P
Notes Apply as a soil incorporated broadcast spray into the furrow at planting or at hilling to control wireworms.
ethoprop
(Mocap 15% Granular (banded))
Application per Acre See Label
REI (hours) 72 h PHI (days) — MOA 1B
More details
Efficacy G
Notes Apply at a rate of 1.4 lbs. per 1,000 row feet to control wireworms and symphylans.
ethoprop
(Mocap EC (banded))
Application per Acre See Label
REI (hours) 72 h PHI (days) — MOA 1B
More details
Efficacy G
Notes Apply at a rate of 4.4 fl. oz per 1,000 row feet to control wireworms and symphylans.
broflanilide
(Nurizma)
Application per Acre See Label See Label
REI (hours) 12 h PHI (days) — MOA 30
More details
Efficacy E
Notes Use the highest labeled rate when wireworm pressure is high. It will also control white grubs.
thiamethoxam
(Platinum 75 SG)
Application per Acre 1.66-2.67 oz
REI (hours) 12 h PHI (days) — MOA 4A
More details
Efficacy P
Notes It can control wireworms that feed on the seed piece, but it will not prevent most damage to daughter tubers during the growing season.
fipronil
(Regent 4SC)
Application per Acre 3.2 fl oz
REI (hours) 0 h PHI (days) 90 d MOA 2B
More details
Efficacy E
spinosad
(Seduce Insect Bait)
Application per Acre 20-44 lb
REI (hours) 4 h PHI (days) 7 d MOA 5
More details
Efficacy F
Notes Wireworms are not mentioned on the label, but applications made to target other pests (earwigs, cutworms) can suppress wireworms. Trials conducted by Agriculture Development Group, Inc. found an application at 40 lbs. per acre significantly reduced wireworm damage in a heavy pressure situation.
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