26 AUGUST 2016 Good Fruit Grower www.goodfruit.com
C
oncord grape growers in western New York
and Pennsylvania are dealing with a pest
they thought they had rid themselves of 25
years ago. But grape rootworm is back, and
its adult beetle seems to be emerging a bit
earlier.
Tim Weigle, New York state integrated pest manage-
ment specialist and team leader of Cornell Cooperative
Extension's Lake Erie Regional Grape Program, said
the insect was rediscovered on grapes being grown
near Westfield, New York. Most have been reported in
Concord grapes since the vast majority of the region's
acreage is planted to that variety.
More recently, the pests are moving into other regions.
"Now we're seeing some in the Finger Lakes, primarily
on native varieties, though we've had some reports of
them on hybrids," he said.
Biology
Females produce eggs three to seven days after mat-
ing, from early June through late July. Egg-laying peaks
late from June through late July, but can continue into
September.
Troublesome pest
makes a comeback
Thought to be eradicated years ago, grape rootworm
has returned to New York and Pennsylvania vineyards.
by Dave Weinstock
Grapes
Effective Plant Nutrients
and Biopesticides
www.westbridge.com
®
Botector
®
Blossom Protect
™
®
®
®
ORGANIC
®
ORGANIC
Herbicide EC
®
©2016
Meadow
Creature,
LLC
MeadowCreature.Com
®
Or Give Us a Call
360-329-2250
MAKE CIDER
WITH EASE
-
-
MEADOW
CREATURE ®
Commercial quality
at a family price–the
AVALON
®
