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Wireworms are the larvae of click beetles, belonging to the family Elateridae. These larvae are characterized by their slender, hard-bodied, and cylindrical shape, which gives them their name. They typically live in the soil for two to six years, during which they can cause significant damage to crops by feeding on seeds, roots, and underground stems.12

While the term "wireworm" specifically refers to click beetle larvae, "false wireworms" are the grubs of certain tenebrionid beetles and are also known to be destructive to crops, particularly in western North America. Control methods for wireworms include plowing fields in the fall, using insecticides, or employing bait traps for adult beetles.32

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  1. wireworm
  2. click beetle
  3. false wireworm

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