Laboratory studies on the effect of calcium cyanamide on wireworms (Agriotes ustulatus, Coleoptera: Elateridae)

The fertilizer calcium cyanamide (CaCN2) is often used due to its sanitary effect in the soil. Among other application areas, it has been described to have a lethal effect on various insect species of different orders. Wireworms of the genus Agriotes spp. (Coleoptera: Elateridae) are severe and widespread agricultural root damaging pests affecting numerous crops and weeds. Previous work on CaCN2 against wireworms has mainly been limited to identify and evaluate crop protection rates. This paper, however, focuses on the effect of CaCN2 on wireworms. Therefore, we investigated the mortal and repellent impact of CaCN2 on late instar larvae of Agriotes ustulatus in soil without plant material under laboratory conditions. Our results indicate a non-toxic, yet repellent, character of CaCN2 on wireworms. However, these results are not sufficient to conclude that CaCN2 will work as a wirewormrepellent in the field. Trials including both, a food source and wireworms in feeding state, will be needed for a substantial conclusion. Finally, our findings give evidence that further investigations are reasonable.