Wireworms use barley root volatile chemicals to locate their host plant in soil

Wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) are soil dwelling pests of many crops. Aldrin and lindane used to provide satisfactory treatment levels of infested lands. Their withdrawal from the market for environmental issues gave birth to new needs in terms of management. In order to enhance integrated management of this pest, we work on the chemical ecology of Agriotes sordidus Illiger. We focus on its interaction with barley roots, mediated by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Our experimentations are based on behavioural responses of wireworms in olfactometric devices and their statistical relevance.