The soil-dwelling larva of a click beetle (family Elatidae), principally Agriotes and Athous species, that feeds on plant roots and tubers. Adult beetles lay eggs in May and June, which hatch as small, white larvae. The larvae grow to about 3 cm long, with three pairs of short legs and a tough, brown coat, and spend up to four years in the larval state before pupating to emerge in summer as adults. Wireworms are serious pests of a wide range of crops.