DNA barcoding economically important wireworm species (Coleoptera: Elateridae) of Montana

A previous survey of the Elaterid fauna of Montana identified 150 species. Of these, 24 are potential crop pests. The larval stage, commonly known as a wireworm, causes significant damage to wheat and other small grains, major agronomic crops in Montana. However, the actual species causing the damage have never been identified because the larval stage is very difficult to identify to species. By using COI mtDNA sequences, cryptic larvae were matched to identified adult voucher specimens using Neighbor-Joining and Bayesian trees. Both museum and freshly collected specimens were used in extracting DNA from the adults and all samples were labeled and stored in the Montana State University Entomological Collection. This study will provide a resource for identifying wireworm pests infesting a variety of crops.