Insects & Pests

This video confirms and reinforces what we already know about predators in the vineyard. This young fellow/gal is about a year old and apparently on its own. It was quite aware of my presence but not a bit bothered by it as it was clearly focused on the fruit. The video was captured at about 9am while I was sampling fruit for a client. I only regret that my phone would not zoom in any closer and the quality is not great but you can clearly see the visitor is larger than a bread basket (and yes, I got the sample [...]

Doug Pfeiffer, Fruit Entomologist at Virginia Tech has prepared a list of updates on grape insects that should be reviewed by all growers. JAPANESE BEETLE: As predicted, this is shaping up to be a year of high JB populations. This is a result of the rainy season last year. JB and related beetles have eggs with a low ability to retain moisture. Consequently, in drought years there is high mortality of eggs, with low populations of adults in the following season. In years with higher levels of soil moisture, we can expect higher natural survival of eggs and high populations of [...]

Following is an update from Doug Pfeiffer at Virginia Tech with links for additional information concerning Spotted Wing Drosophilia. From: Doug Pfeiffer To: Grape Growers From: Doug Pfeiffer, Fruit Entomologist Sent: July 18, 2012 Hello, everyone: Spotted wing drosophila:  SWD is expected to be found in more sites following its 2011 collections in Hanover, Sussex, Frederick and Montgomery Counties, plus Virginia Beach.  It has been documented in apple cider vinegar traps this season in vineyards and berry plantings in Amherst, Orange and Rappahannock Counties.  SWD infestation was found in raspberries in June 2012 in Montgomery County, and in blackberries in Amherst [...]

The Northeastern Integrated Pest Management Center recently held a workshop focused on native parasitoids as a control for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. Use this link to read the synopsis of the workshop. Native Parasitoids Hold Promise in Stink Bug Defense

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), in cooperation with Virginia Tech's Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, recently initiated an effort to develop a Virginia Wild Turkey Management Plan, similar in scope and intent to the existing statewide management plans for black bear and white-tailed deer.  Virginia Tech personnel will be hosting a series of focus group meetings in March and April to discuss various aspects of wild turkey management with Virginians who have a strong interest in management of wild turkeys.  The goal of these meetings is to seek input from stakeholders regarding their views and opinions [...]