Pests That Can Destroy Your Grapes

Learning how to grow grapes in both small and large tracts of land can be profitable and enjoyable, too. But there is a learning curve - you need to learn all about the various aspects of growing grapes; from the types of grapes to grow to how to care for them and everything in between. One of the most important thing to learn is how to defend against grape pests, especially insects, that can totally destroy your crop in very short time.

The following are just a few pests that attack the vineyards of the world. Well, actually, some of the mentioned pests are endemic to one part of the world but with the way the world is changing now, it pays to know the other possible pests, too.

Grape Phylloxera

These tiny aphid-like insects with yellow bodies have both foliar and root forms. If you start to notice unusual growths called galls on the grape leaves or roots, then it's a sign that you just might have a grape phylloxera infestation.

These grape pests set off a chain of events that can ruin the crop. Since these insects lead to premature defoliation in the severe stages, the ripening of the fruits is delayed and, thus, the crop quality is affected.

Management of phylloxera starts with routine monitoring of the grapevines and the leaves for any gall formation. If you common experience phylloxera infestations, you might want to treat your plants with insecticide. Carbaryl is the most popular insecticide for grapes. .

Japanese Beetles

These insects are extremely detrimental to may different types of crops and grapes are one of them. An adult beetle is identifiable through its brilliant metallic green thorax and head coupled with copper-brown wing covers.

The good news is that the berries can usually take the impact of these grape pests for as long as the infestation is at mild to moderate levels. In severe defoliations, the grapes can be injured. Management of Japanese beetles consists of twice-weekly checkups during the growing season coupled with hand-picking of the pests and application of insecticides like Permethrin preferably as localized spot treatments.

Grape Berry Moth

This is one of the grape pests that attack the berries. The adult grape berry moth is small insect with mottled brown color and a bluish-gray band inside the front wings while the larvae are creamy white.

It is not the adult grape berry moth that concerns farmers the most but the larva since it feeds directly on the berry. The larva can also contaminate the crop resulting in even more devastation.

Injured berries are usually removed by hand while prevention measures include destroying the dead leaves. An application of insecticide may be in order to keep these moths under control since they produce two generations each year.

In the course of your career growing grapes, you will come across many other grape pests like the multicolored Asian lady beetle and the yellow jackets. Become educated with regards to the different pests that exist in your area and the best means to prevent them.