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

The nutty roots are often eaten by earth vermin, especially wireworm.

From Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Describing the Most Desirable Plants, for Borders, Rockeries, and Shrubberies. by Wood, John

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

Small Potatoes, roughly hollowed out, or pieces of Carrot, may be used as traps for wireworm and other vermin.

From The Culture of Vegetables and Flowers From Seeds and Roots 16th Edition by Sutton and Sons

"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

Slugs should be trapped, but the wireworm, unfortunately, has often done the mischief before we become aware of its presence, and even then it is a troublesome pest to get rid of.

From Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Describing the Most Desirable Plants, for Borders, Rockeries, and Shrubberies. by Wood, John