Wireworms in Soybean
Crop Damage: Wireworms (Elateridae family) occur throughout the U.S., southern Canada, and Mexico. This early season pest burrows into germinating soybean seeds or seedlings. Before germination, wireworms hollow out seeds, leaving only the seed coat. After germination, wireworms feed on seedlings and cause wilting or the death of young soybean plants.
Wireworm larva at base of seedling corn plant.
Adam Sisson, Iowa State University
Pest Description: Depending on the species, wireworms can be hard-bodied or soft-bodied. Hard-bodied wireworms are 1 ½ inches long and orange to light brown and wire-like. Soft-bodied species are smaller (½ inches long) and light yellow to light brown. Click beetles are the adult stage of wireworms, and produce a clicking sound when flipping over from their backs to the upright position. Most adult click beetle species are brown, gray, or black and may be covered with hair.
Hard-bodied wireworm larva on soil.
Adam Sisson, Iowa State University
Soft-bodied wireworm larva on soil.
Alton Sparks, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Click beetle.
Integrated Pest Management Program, Iowa State University
Scouting: Wireworms are more prevalent during cool, wet weather when soybean germination and emergence are slow. Wireworms are attracted to fields that have been in grass, including small grains, for several years. Fields with a previous history of wireworm damage are at higher risk as some species live in the soil for up to six years. Larvae move to the soil surface in the spring to feed on seeds and seedlings but move deeper in the soil to avoid hot summer conditions.
Scout for wireworms between planting and V3. Dig up areas with no emergence and those with wilted or dead plants. If no wireworms are present, dig up and down the row as the larvae will move to new plants as they continue to feed. Use bait stations to scout for wireworms before planting. Bait stations consist of ½ cup of corn and wheat seed mixed and buried six inches deep in soil. Make sure to use seed free of pesticide treatments. Randomly place bait stations across a field for 10 days and then examine for the presence of wireworms.
Management: If wireworms are detected in the bait stations, consider using treated seed or soil applied insecticide at planting. There are no rescue treatments available for wireworms. Using a seed applied insecticide with replanting may not be effective as wireworms often move down the soil profile before replanting occurs. If wireworms are a persistent pest, delay planting soybeans until conditions favor rapid seed germination and emergence and consider using seed applied insecticides. Management of wireworms can be challenging as wireworms that live in the soil for six years can cause increasing injury each year as they develop.
Developed and reviewed by Carol Pilcher, Iowa State University and Robert Wright, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with support from the United Soybean Board.
Click beetle. Photo by the Integrated Pest Management Program, Iowa State University.
Click beetle on soil. Photo by Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org.
Soft-bodied wireworm larva on soil. Photo by Alton Sparks, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.
Two wireworms on soil. Photo by Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org.
Wireworm larva at base of seedling corn plant. Photo by Adam Sisson, Iowa State University.
Hard-bodied wireworm larva on soil. Photo by Adam Sisson, Iowa State University.
Gallery images courtesy Adam Sisson, Iowa State University; Alton Sparks, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org; Integrated Pest Management Program, Iowa State University; Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org; and Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org.
This publication was developed by the Crop Protection Network, a multi-state and international collaboration of university/provincial extension specialists and public/ private professionals that provides unbiased, research-based information to farmers and agricultural personnel. This information in this publication is only a guide, and the authors assume no liability for practices implemented based on this information. Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others that may be similar. Individuals using such products assume responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Extension Implementation Program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
©2026 by the Crop Protection Network. All rights reserved.
