1. the larva of a click beetle that lives in soil and feeds on plant roots and seeds

Examples

• The farmer discovered wireworms damaging his potato crop.
• Wireworms can remain in the soil for several years before becoming adult beetles.
• The gardener used beneficial nematodes to control wireworm populations.
• Corn seedlings were being eaten by wireworms in the field.
• The pest control specialist identified wireworms as the cause of the crop damage.
• Wireworms are particularly problematic in newly converted grassland.