Published on June 15, 2020

Updated on April 15, 2024

Contents:

• Who Are the Vectors of Grapevine Leafroll Disease?
• Japanese Beetles Update
• Cumulative Growing Degree Days (Base 50) for the Seven Grape Growing Regions of Missouri from April 1 to Sept. 5, 2020
• Weather Outlook

Who Are the Vectors of Grapevine Leafroll Disease?

In 2017, we learned that Grapevine Leafroll virus-3 (GLRV-3) was one of the most prevalent viruses in a survey of vineyards throughout much of Missouri. Throughout most of the areas where grapevines are grown in the world, GLRV-3 is the most prevalent virus. Once the grapevine is infected with a virus, there is no cure. Interestingly, the cultivars of grapes grown in Missouri that are infected with GLRV-3 do not display symptomology. The only way to know if a grapevine is infected with GLRV-3 is to test some grapevine tissue. Testing is either done using PCR or ELISA to confirm the presence or absence of GLRV-3.

Grapevine viruses may come into a vineyard by planting infected planting material or be vectored by an insect or both. Most reputable grapevine suppliers are currently following protocol 2010, which provides virus-free planting stock. If you are planting a new block in the immediate future, be sure to ask your vine supplier if the planting stock is virus free. No process is 100 percent effective in providing complete elimination of a virus. However, from the time of grapevine establishment through the lifetime of the vineyard your goal is to maintain virus free grapevines. To maintain virus free grapevines after the vineyard is planted involves controlling the insect vector(s) that transmit grapevine viruses. GLRV-3 and other strains of grapevine leafroll viruses are vectored by mealybugs (Planococcus spp.). Mealybugs are closely related to aphids, scale, and phylloxera. All these insects belong to the insect order Hemiptera (true bugs) having piercing, sucking mouthparts. In Missouri vineyards there has not been a survey to determine which mealybug species may be present or if mealybugs are present what grapevine viruses they may be harboring. This is likely to change with a recently hired USDA scientist, Jacob Corcoran.

This week Jacob and I investigated a few vineyards in search of mealybugs. We were a little late with the first generation already hatched. However, we did find some adults and eggs. Enough material was collected to determine which mealybug specie(s) are present and also determine if these are harboring any grapevine viruses. In August when the next generation of mealybugs emerges we will be out again collecting. If you suspect or have observed mealybugs in your vineyard, please contact me and we will try to visit your vineyard in August.

If you would like to determine if mealybugs are present in your vineyard, simply peel off some of the lower trunk bark and look for white cottony webbing. Both the white cottony webbing as well as adults can be visualized with the naked eye. If you have Vidal blanc, Chambourcin or Chardonel that are of some age (10 years or older), you likely will find some mealybugs.

Managing mealybugs is difficult since the adults typically are feeding underneath the bark of the grapevine. However, there are systemic insecticides available for controlling mealybugs. These include Admire Pro and Movento. There are a number of other insecticides that will control mealybugs, see page 86 of the 2019-2020 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide. Prior to applying any insecticide, please identify that the insect pest is present and read and follow the label.

I will keep you updated as we learn more about the mealybug diversity in Missouri vineyards. As well as the grapevine viruses the mealybugs are harboring. Once again feel free to contact me if you have observed mealybugs in your vineyard.

top

Japanese Beetles Update

Update for week of June 15, 2020

This week I observed no Japanese beetles in 6 different vineyard blocks I scouted in the New Haven and Hermann area on Thursday, June 18. Today, June 19, I observed Japanese beetles in Mexico, MO. With rain predicted the next few days, adults will have an easier time emerging from the soil. Scout every day if possible. Research has shown that Japanese beetles are not attracted to other Japanese beetles. In other words Japanese beetles do not have congregation pheromones. In grapes it has been shown that Japanese beetles are attracted to grapevines that have been fed on by Japanese beetles. The injured grapevines put out signals that attract more Japanese beetles. The initial influx of beetles is typically always on border rows and so scout border rows first, especially border rows along wooded areas and grassy strips.

First Report of Japanese Beetles for the 2020 Season

June 5, 2020, Japanese beetles were reported in Central Northeast Missouri, specifically Boone County. The Japanese beetles were reported on the University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management website. The trapping network has eleven sites around Missouri trapping for Japanese beetles. The Japanese beetles were caught in a pheromone trap. On the IPM website you can sign up to receive pest alerts. The trapping network is conducted by MU regional agronomy and horticulture extension professionals.

With wet soil conditions throughout most of Missouri there will be an opportunity for the adults to easily emerge in the coming days and weeks. A natural enemy of Japanese beetles has been established in Missouri. A small wasp — Tiphia vernalis (Hymenoptera Tiphiidae) — that parasitizes the Japanese Beetle larva. Hopefully biocontrol agents will help reduce Japanese beetle populations.

top

Cumulative Growing Degree Days (Base 50) for the Seven Grape Growing Regions of Missouri from April 1 to June 13, 2020

¹ Growing degree days at base 50 from April 1 to June 13, 2020. Data compiled from Useful and Useable at https://mrcc.illinois.edu/U2U/gdd/. Click on link below to determine growing degree days in your area.

To determine the number of growing degree days accumulated in your area since April 1, use this tool.

top

Weather Outlook

Weather Outlook for Weekend

• Scattered thunderstorms

Week of June 22

• Temperatures mid 80s, below normal temparatures forecast
• Precipitation above normal forecast

June highlights as of June 17

• Below normal preciptation for most of Missouri
• Temparatures below average

top