Project Number
US E-N W2

Project title
Verification of the integrated vine mealybug control programme

Project leader
Walton, V M

Institution
University of Stellenbosch. Department of Entomology

Team members
Daane, K M
Pringle, K L
Samways, M J

Project description
New vine mealybug control strategies have been implemented for three seasons with the aim to verify and improve on the models developed from previous work on this pest. These strategies included the use of degree day data combined with vine mealybug trap counts. These tools were used with the aim to improve timing of control measures. Commercially available biological control agents and new systemic treatments were included in the treatments in order to increase alternative control tools.

The highest vine mealybug pest populations and crop losses were found in the untreated, late release and systemic treatments and during the three seasons the conventional and timed release treatments resulted in the highest levels of vine mealybug control. This indicates that biological control using mass releases of natural enemies could be used as an alternative to conventional organophoshates. High levels of parasitism were found in the timed release and untreated treatments in all years. This is expected due to the negative effects of pesticide sprays on natural enemies in the other treatments.

Late releases of parasitoids during the latter part of the summer period resulted in inadeauate control levels and cannot be seen as a viable control method. Parasitoids from the timed and late release treatments were delivered on time with no logistic problems during the current season. Pheromone traps, physical vineyard inspections and degree days can be successfully used to determine infestations with vine mealybug and timing of control actions. None of these monitoring methods and warning tools can however be used alone as each has its advantages.

Presentation(s)
Walton, V M. 2003. Integrated vine mealybug control in South Africa. Unified Wine and Grape Symposium, Sacramento, California, United States.

Walton, V M. 2004. Integrated control of mealybug. April. Sun-Maid Farmers’ day, Lodi, California, United States.

Walton, V M. 2004. Seasonal population studies of vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret), and it’s natural enemies in vineyards in the Western Cape, South Africa. 4th California Conference on Biological Control, Berkeley, California, United States.

Walton, V M. 2005. Managing mealybugs as a vine leafroll vector. April. Gallo Winery Farmer’s Day, Lodi, California, United States.

Walton, V M. 2005. Mealybugs in California vineyards. California Polytechnical University, May, California, United States

Walton, V M. 2005. Integrated mealybug management. Oregon State University, May, California, United States.

Walton, V M. 2005. Mating disruption of vine mealybug with female sex pheromone. Congress of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa, Grahamstown, May, South Africa.

Article
Walton, V M, Pringle, K L. 2004. Vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a key pest in South African vineyards: a review, South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture, v. 25 (2) (p. 54-62)

Walton, V M. 2004. Die gebruik van graaddae as hulp in die bepaling van wingerdwitluis besmetting in wingerde, WineLand, Mnth Dec (185) (p. 76)

Walton, V M. 2004. Protokol vir witluisbeheer in wingerd (produksieblokke) WineLand, Mnth Sep (182) (p. 96-99)

Walton, V M. 2004. Degree-day estimation as a warning tool for vine mealybug infestation in vineyards, Wynboer Technical Yearbook, (p. 53)

Walton, V M, Pringle, K L. 2005. Developmental biology of vine mealybug, (Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae), and its parasitoid Coccidoxenoides perminutus (Timberlake) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtridae) African Entomology, v. 13 (1) (p. 143-147)

FinalReport.pdf