Comparison of traditional and modern methods for identification of economically important wireworm species (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

Authors

  • Eva PRAPROTNIK Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing, Slovenia
  • Jaka RAZINGER Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing, Slovenia
  • Stanislav TRDAN University of Ljubljana,Biotechnical Faculty, Agronomy Department, Ljubljana, Slovenia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14720/aas.2021.117.1.1909

Keywords:

wireworms, morphological identification, molecular identification, behavioural patterns

Abstract

Wireworms are larvae of click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae) and are well known pests of economic importance. Knowing the species diversity in a particular area is important, as the ecological requirements and consequent management strategies of individual species vary. Morphological identification of wireworms is challenging; separating between individual species is often almost impossible. Molecular methods therefore complement morphological methods. Mitochondrial gene for cytochrome oxidase I is most commonly used for molecular identification of wireworms. In this study we list molecular, morphological and behavioural methods for wireworm identification and also highlight the advantages and disadvantages of these methods. At the end of the article, a simplified morphological identification key for determining economically important wireworm species of the genus Agriotes in Slovenian language is attached.

Author Biographies

  • Eva PRAPROTNIK, Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing, Slovenia
    Oddelek za varstvo rastlin
  • Jaka RAZINGER, Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing, Slovenia
    Oddelek za varstvo rastlin
  • Stanislav TRDAN, University of Ljubljana,Biotechnical Faculty, Agronomy Department, Ljubljana, Slovenia
    Oddelek za agronomijo

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Published

31. 03. 2021

Issue

Section

Review Article

How to Cite

PRAPROTNIK, E., RAZINGER, J., & TRDAN, S. (2021). Comparison of traditional and modern methods for identification of economically important wireworm species (Coleoptera: Elateridae). Acta Agriculturae Slovenica, 117(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.14720/aas.2021.117.1.1909