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