Localisation and seasonal positions of wireworms in soils

Dominance of dangerous Agriotes species was detected with pheromone traps in the Transdanubian region of Hungary in the examined period. The trapped species showed the following rates: A. lineatus 71%, A. sputator 19/o, A. ustulatus 5%, A. obscurus 3% and A. rufipalpis 2%. The volumetric quadrate method was found to be the most suitable method for soil sampling, as it resembled the natural conditions best, with a digging gripper and forestry hole digger. Occurrence of larva populations was surveyed. Sample areas were previously identified with GPS. Soil temperature, density and water content of dug samples were measured. Density of weed species growing in sample areas was determined. R-value amounted to 0.9200 between the occurrence of wireworms in different soil profiles and soil temperature. 0.7650 R-value was calculated between the depth of occurrence (cm) and the number of wireworms. This fact demonstrates the seasonality of larva occurrence in different soil profiles. The experiments were carried out in different locations and at different times. On the basis of the measurements data show between population and soil density R-values of 0.8637, 0.8006, 0.6294. There was a close regression between population and soil moisture R-values were at 0.5129, 0.9185, 0.7354. Besides data maps show the relationship between soil density and the number of wireworms. This fact proves the local positions of pests. Soil moisture supports the relationship, but its dominance is eliminated by saturation under rainy weather conditions (2005). Weed spots are related to soil density, moisture and population. They all influence adults in looking for best egg-laying places, which contributes to offspring care resulting in later local occurrence. Precision plant control can be applied together with geo-positioning studies. The method enables us to save costs and reduce pesticide stress.