Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/155925
a $5.8 million U.S. Department of Agriculture grant for the SWD Project. Halfway through a fiveyear grant, the project is led by Dr. Vaughn Walton, an entomologist with OSU Extension. He blames fruit imports for the pest's entry into the U.S. asked to remain anonymous, found swarms around clusters that had been clean just days earlier. The grower snapped pictures of the fly and enlarged them to see SWD's characteristic spot at the bottom of each wing. Vinegar traps yielded large numbers of flies. Pyrethrin products didn't seem to work and the grower noticed that the infestation coincided with the end of the wild blackberry season. The vineyard is surrounded by forests and fields of wild plants. The grower noticed that once out of the forest, flies jumped over the chardonnay and headed right for the nearly ripe pinot noir, leading © 2013 StaVin Inc. Dr. Vaughn Walton, an entomologist with Oregon State University Extension, is in charge of the USDA-funded SWD Project. "We have this trade of fresh fruit from all over the world," Walton said. "Quarantines and protocols postponed SWD from getting here, but it was inevitable." In 2011, SWD turned up in Florida. Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee may have carried SWD north, making it part of what Pfeiffer calls "aerial plankton." The SWD is resourceful, managing to overwinter in very cool areas, confounding even Walton, who guesses it may find refuge in urban areas around heated buildings. Still, places farther north will find the problem lighter than southern areas. OFF THE RECORD Growers hit by the bug are reluctant to discuss their experiences on the record, fearing the public may associate their problem with poor vineyard practices. In the last week of July 2012, right after reading a bulletin by Pfeiffer, one Virginia grower, who 54 V I N E YARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT | Sept - Oct 2013 For over twenty years we've searched the world to source the very finest oak known to wine. Our hikes through numerous forests in countries on two continents have yielded findings some winemakers consider treasure. Such travels have shown us the rewards of perseverance, and the importance of variety. Because even the most delicious wines rarely taste the same. ® StaVın Inc, P.O.Box 1693, Sausalito,CA 94966 (415) 331-7849 f (415) 331-0516 stavin.com w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m