Wireworm Biology and Nonchemical Management in Potatoes

This bulletin is one of a series on organic potato production developed by OSPUD, a collaboration among Oregon State University personnel and 11 farmers operating diversified organic vegetable farms. The purpose of OSPUD is to improve potato quality and profitability through a participatory learning process and on-farm, farmer-directed research. The first two years of OSPUD were supported by Western SARE.

Larval wireworms are among the most destructive of soil insect pests. This publication reviews the wireworm literature and provides information on wireworm biology, monitoring risk assessment and nonchemical control options that can be integrated into a variety of production systems.

Want more information? See the related SARE grant(s) SWO5-091, Integrated Soil and Crop Management for Organic Potato Production.