wireworm

/ˈwaɪərˌwɜrm/
noun
  1. The slender, hard-bodied larva of certain beetles that lives in soil and feeds on plant roots, often damaging crops.
    • The farmer found wireworms eating the roots of his potato plants.
    • Wireworms can be a serious pest in gardens, especially in newly turned soil.
    • To protect the seedlings, she treated the soil for wireworms before planting.
Synonyms
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