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Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...

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TRUE WIREWORMS or CLICK BEETLES Coleoptera: Elateridae<br />

Various species<br />

Distinguishing characteristics/description<br />

larva<br />

10 mm<br />

20<br />

30 40 50<br />

Larva<br />

Flattened head<br />

and mouthparts<br />

oriented<br />

downwards<br />

Hardened skin<br />

(cuticle sclerotised)<br />

Elongated<br />

cylindrical body<br />

shape (eruciform)<br />

– slightly flattened.<br />

Slightly tapering at<br />

both ends – oval in<br />

cross section<br />

Short legs<br />

<strong>Insects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>Broadacre</strong> <strong>Farming</strong> <strong>Systems</strong> Identification Manual and Education Resource © 2012<br />

There are numerous true wireworm species in Australia<br />

but they are not described in detail here and are only<br />

discussed at the family level.<br />

22<br />

Adult<br />

Flattened<br />

body<br />

Creamy yellow<br />

body colour<br />

with darker head<br />

region<br />

Point at the<br />

base <strong>of</strong> the thorax<br />

(pronotum)<br />

SECTION 4 COMMON Pest, Beneficial and exotic Species<br />

Two upturned<br />

spines<br />

Serrated<br />

dorsal plate<br />

Anal<br />

proleg<br />

Adults make a click sound when they flick themselves<br />

over after being placed on their backs.<br />

The lifecycle <strong>of</strong> many true wireworm species is not fully<br />

understood. The lifecycles <strong>of</strong> most pest species probably<br />

take more than a year to complete.

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