Insects and mites
Garden weevil soft controls demonstrations
A number of vignerons in the Margaret River and Great Southern wine regions are investigating different soft options to determine whether the reliance on broad spectrum insecticides can be reduced.
Some of these options were investigated in small lot work when a research project on garden weevil was undertaken some years ago. This new work involves the same products plus some new ones on a larger scale as listed below.
- Soil applied pathogenic fungi - against larvae
- Soil applied molasses - improving vine’s natural tolerance to pests
- Dacron bands - plain or soaked in hot chilli to deter climbing adult weevils
- Surround and potassium silicate foliar spray to deter feeding by adult weevils
Results of the investigations will be presented at workshops in both regions after vintage in 2017.
Apple looper – we need insects
We have recently discovered experts working on pheromone development at UWA. They have shown interest in assisting the WA wine industry by working on the development of a pheromone to help with monitoring apple looper.
Please contact DAFWA if you experience an infestation of apple looper. Details of apple looper are available on the DAFWA website.
For more information contact Stewart Learmonth or Helen Collie at the DAFWA Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute.