Observations on the biology and physiology of wireworms of the genus Agriotes Esch

Detailed studies of the growth of wireworms kept at a constant temperature of 15d̀ C. for 3 years and at natural soil temperatures for 2 years are presented. It is shown that small wireworms grow rapidly and moult frequently, but large wireworms grow slowly or remain constant in weight and moult infrequently. A basic pattern to account for the decreasing frequency of moulting during the life cycle is presented.The feeding activity and moulting frequency of a population of wireworms has been studied in detail throughout the season. Definite peaks in feeding activity and moulting frequency occur during the season. A suitable method for the analysis of such activity in a population has been found by dividing the population into groups on a basis of the number of annual moults.It is shown that increase in dry weight is a more valid estimate of growth than increase in fresh weight. The rate of growth of wireworms is strongly influenced by the food on which they feed: some plants (wheat and carrots) permit rapid growth; other plants (grass and clover) permit slower growth; while certain other plants (mustard and potatoes) allow the wireworm to maintain its weight. Wireworms reared on fla