wireworm

American  

[wahyuhr-wurm] / ˈwaɪərˌwɜrm /

noun

1. any of the slender, hard-bodied larvae of click beetles, many of which live underground and feed on the roots of plants.

2. any of various small myriapods.

3. stomach worm.

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wireworm British  

/ ˈwaɪəˌwɜːm /

noun

1. the wormlike larva of various elaterid beetles, which feeds on the roots of many crop plants and is a serious agricultural pest

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Etymology

Origin of wireworm

First recorded in 1780–90; wire + worm

Example Sentences

Is there any way to destroy or overcome the destructive work of the wireworm, which I find in some spots takes the lion's share of crops, such as beans, potatoes, onions, etc.?

From One Thousand Questions in California Agriculture Answered by Wickson, Edward J. (Edward James)

Kainit is said to keep off wireworm, and is recommended in the United States as a preventive against this pest.

From The Book of Pears and Plums by Bartrum, Edward

The insects in the larval or wireworm stage attack the roots of plants, eating them away below the ground.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10 "Echinoderma" to "Edward" by Various

"Do you know," I exclaimed excitedly, "it was the wireworm after all."

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 153, August 1, 1917. by Various

In garden cultivation it is most useful for wireworm, used at the rate of 1 ounce to every 4 sq. yds.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10 "Echinoderma" to "Edward" by Various