Studies on the Chemical Control of Wireworms (Agriotes spp.). I.—The Direct and Residual Effects of BHC, DDT, D-D, and Ethylene Dibromide

Abstract

Following crop failures due to wireworm (Agriotes spp.) attack on Little Hoos Field, Bothamsted, two experiments were made on the use of four chemicals to prevent wireworm attack on wheat. The chemicals used were BHC, technical DDT, ethylene dibromide and D-D.Benzene hexachloride in the form of a dust containing 3·5 per cent. crude BHC was broadcast at the rate of 7·9 lb./acre crude BHC ≡ 15·2–16·0 oz. γ isomer per acre and was combine-drilled with the seed at rates ranging from 0·98–3·92 lb./acre crude BHC ≡ 1·9–8·0 oz. γ isomer per acre. It was also applied as a seed dressing at the rate of 2 oz./bushel of a dressing containing 20 per cent. technical γ isomer of BHC. DDT was drilled with the seed at 7·2 lb./acre technical DDT and ethylene dibromide and D-D were injected into the soil as soil fumigants by means of a special machine at 45·5 lb./acre and 210 lb./acre, respectively.