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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of wireworm

First recorded in 1780–90; wire + worm

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wireworm

The wireworm and slugs are both very fond of Pinks and Carnations.

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

"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

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

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 John Wood

It is a dry non-poisonous powder which should be freely dug into the soil to destroy wireworm and other larvæ, while for Ants, Slugs, and Woodlice, a light sprinkling on the surface is sufficient.

From Roses and Rose Growing by Rose Georgina Kingsley

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---