Alternative methods to control wireworms (Agriotes spp., Coleoptera: Elateridae) in vegetable production - potential of calcium cyanamide and Metarhizium anisopliae

Wireworms of Agriotes spp. are severe and widespread agricultural pests affecting especially maize, potatoes and numerous vegetable crops. Within the framework of a national cooperation project on pest management strategies against soil insects, special emphasis was placed on evaluating alternative wireworm control methods for vegetable production. Therefore, the potential of calcium cyanamide and Metarhizium anisopliae was investigated. Calcium cyanamide showed a repellent but no lethal effect on late instars of Agriotes ustulatus. A Swiss Metarhizium anisopliae strain revealed promising crop protection effects requiring further investigations concerning treatment reliability and commercialisation.