May 12, 2012 — It’s a worm! It’s a beetle! It’s both. Mike McGrath takes a close look at the garden pest known as the wireworm, and it’s unusual adult form. Plus your fabulous phone calls!

[audio: garden20120512.mp3]

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Question of the Week

I’m having problems with some type of ‘worm’ that bores into the stems of my young seedling plants well below the soil line. I first found them last year when I noticed some tomato seedlings starting to wilt and die, so I pulled them out. When I did, I noticed holes in the stems with the worms inside. The plant stems weren’t even 3/8 of an inch in diameter, and this worm was literally inside the stem. They do not fit your description of cutworms, and I am otherwise unable to identify them. They look like a meal worm but are much smaller and more elongated. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Get the answer »

Photo by Flickr user Goshzilla – Dann