Help with identification and cure of worm/grub problem

Hi,

wondering if any of you can help me with the worm/ grub problem i'm having.

they seem to mainly be in the root system of my tomatoes and potatoes. causing a massive problem with the potato crop. they seem to bury into the potatoes leaving deep black holes/ tunnels. seem to have been affecting the early and seconds.

any help much appreciated.

Edited to remove capitols from title.

Deffo wireworm, Not much you can do really.

Was the ground recently grassland?

they're a real pain but some ideas:

•Removing all traces of previous infected crops will starve them of food
 •Getting plants off to a strong start is important. One way to do this is to grow them in modules or pots before planting out when they are more able to cope with an attack
 •Cultivate your whole plot, removing all grass
 •Regular cultivation , particularly over winter, will expose them to predators
 •Cubes of potato or carrot on a stick will attract them so they can be collected up and disposed of regularly.
 •Limit damage to potatoes by lifting them as soon as they are aready.
 •Nematodes (Heterorhabditis megadis) are available which can control populations but multiple applications may be required

They may remain in the soil as lavae for 3/4 years. The big ones in your photos are probably due to pupate before turning into click beeltes. The click beetles lay their eggs on grass stems ( can be on grass weeds). If your plot is kept clean the problem will get less each year.

Brassicas are a good crop for soil infested with wireworm, but make sure that you get the plants to a good size before you plant them out.

thats good news then, i guess.

i've got a week off in a couple of days so will get weeding to clean the weeds and grass up that are there.

i'll prob cover the area to act as a weed suppressant, i'm assuming that will be ok?

would it be ok to cover the area with rotted manure over winter or should i leave it dormant until the spring?

thanks again for all the advice.

If you cover it, how are the birds going to get to the soil to dig out wireworms. If you have jackdaws/rooks about they are a great help.