Sonoma County Winegrape Commission

June 2008 is the time to begin Vine Mealybug trapping!

Mealybug males (grape, grass and vine) are being detected in the traps, some in alarming numbers. As we observed in 2005, having a trap density of one per 30 acres proved to be inadequate in helping detect Vine Mealybug Infestations in some locations.

Sonoma County UCCE has published trapping protocol recommendations for 2006. If you have never trapped before, or if previous year’s trap result were negative, place one trap per 30 acres (or per vineyard if smaller).

If you have trapped male VMB before, but have not found the infestation, or if there is a high risk your vineyard may become infested, increase your trap density to one trap per 10 acres.

Now is the time to re-evaluate your current trapping program.

VINE MEALYBUG Best Management Practices

The Agricultural Commissioner, growers, wineries and UCCE have developed Best Management Practices (BMP) for growers and wineries. These common sense practices will help to limit the spread of VMB.

If male VMB are found in a trap, it may be from that vineyard or a neighboring vineyard. It is important to notify neighbors to insure they are trapping their vineyard. Then begin looking for female VMB. Telltale signs include honeydew on leaves or clusters, black sooty mold in the canopy, and ants on the vines. If mealybugs are found, take samples to UCCE for identification. They could be grape or obscure mealybugs so positive identification is important. When an infestation is confirmed, inform your neighbors so that they can take measures to insure early detection of VMB spread. The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission with funding from US EPA Region 9 will also facilitate neighborhood grower groups where information on VMB and its control can be shared and strategies to limit spread can be developed.

CLICK HERE for growers BMP PDF file.
CLICK HERE for wineries BMP PDF file.

Links:

Yellow Sticky Traps
Retail Sources of Yellow Sticky Traps

Red Delta Traps and Lures
Retail sources for Red Delta Traps and Lures for Male Vine Mealybugs

http://vinemealybug.uckac.edu/vmb.htm
University of California Cooperative Extension: Vine Mealybug

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r302301911.html
UC Pest Management Guidelines: Grape Vine Mealybug

Other updates can be found at: http://cesonoma.ucdavis.edu/viticulture717/Mealybugs.htm