The corn wireworm, Melanotus communis , or the wheat wireworm, Agriotes mancus, usually occur in heavier organic soils and tend to disappear with continued cultivation. Light sandy soils favor the eastern field wireworm, Limonius agonus . Continued cultivation encourages this species. The presence of wireworms in soil may be detected with baits, such as a cut potato, a mixture of untreated wheat and corn seeds, or rolled oats, buried a few inches deep in the soil, marked with a flag, then dug up 2-3 weeks later. If present in large numbers, they may also be visible when the soil is turned over.
Wireworms are difficult to control with available insecticides.
Zebra caterpillar, Melanchra picta . This black caterpillar with bright yellow markings is a general feeder, being found on nearly all kinds of vegetables as well as many flowering plants. It is about two inches long when fully grown. The moth is reddish brown and without prominent markings. The rear wings are nearly white with brown margins.