Crop Rotations and Cultural Practices as Related to Wireworm Control in Idaho12

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Abstract
Population trends of the sugar-beet wireworm (Limonius californicus) were studied under different crop rotations at Parma, Idaho. Under normal conditions, population changes were gradual from yr. to yr., except in red clover, where excessive increases occurred. High populations in alfalfa decreased from yr. to yr., and the decrease was accelerated in fields where the alfalfa was allowed to go an entire season without irrigation. A survey of 52 fields showed that, in general, wireworm populations increased in the first crop following alfalfa. This increase was mathematically significant for potatoes and corn, but there was no significant population change in sugar beets grown 2 yrs. following alfalfa. The increase in adults in crops follow-alfalfa was more rapid than the general increase in wireworm populations. A long rotation in which the land is alfalfa at least half of the time appears to offer the best opportunity for the cultural control of wireworms.

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