Lindane seed treatment for control of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) on wheat in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract Seventeen field trials were conducted at 14 sites in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to assess efficacy of lindane (gamma HCH) as a seed treatment for control of wireworms on wheat. The performance of lindane-treated seeds was compared with that of seeds treated with fungicide only, in plots treated with fonofos before planting and in untreated control plots. Plant stands were affected negatively by wireworms in control plots in different locations. Generally, lindane and fonofos protected spring wheat but not winter wheat against wireworms, based on plant stand counts and yields. Plant counts in lindane plots were significantly greater than those in control plots in six out of seven spring wheat trials, but in only one out of 10 winter wheat trials. Yields were significantly greater in two spring wheat trials and one winter wheat trial. Performance of fonofos was similar to that of lindane.