Agriculture: Grape Pest Management Guidelines

Rapid Shoot Growth

This year-round program section covers the major pests of table grapes grown in California. For wine and raisin grapes, see WINE AND RAISIN GRAPE YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM.

About Rapid Shoot Growth

What should you be doing during this time?

Look for spider mites and their natural enemies on emerging leaves weekly. Map areas of concern for bloom monitoring.

Monitor leafhoppers weekly, starting a month after budbreak or when first nymphs appear. When samples reach 10 leafhoppers per leaf:

  • Keep records (example monitoring form PDF).
  • Treat if needed according to the Pest Management Guidelines.

Manage mealybugs (Pseudoccocus, vine):

For vine mealybug sanitize equipment before moving to uninfested areas in the vineyard. Coordinate movement of equipment and crews so that vine mealybug is not transported from infested to uninfested vineyards.

If grape or vine mealybug nymphs/females are found on the vine, treat according to the Pest Management Guidelines.

Monitor caterpillars if they have been a problem in the past:

  • Western grapeleaf skeletonizer
  • Grape leaffolder
  • Omnivorous leafroller

Map areas of concern for bloom monitoring.

Continue checking pheromone traps for omnivorous leafrollers.

If European fruit lecanium scale has been a problem in the past, monitor female development on old wood.

Manage native gray or Argentine ants if mealybugs and scale are a problem.

Check sticky traps for glassy-winged sharpshooters. Keep records (example monitoring form PDF).

Watch for wilting shoots to determine if caused by:

  • Powdery mildew
  • Botrytis shoot blight
  • Branch and twig borer

Monitor visually for powdery mildew spores and by using mildew risk index. Treat if needed according to the Pest Management Guidelines.

Survey weeds to plan a weed management strategy. If herbicides are to be used:

  • Make your selection based on weed survey observations.
  • Record your observations (example weed survey form PDF).

Look for these diseases:

If infected plants are found, consult the Pest Management Guidelines.

Other pests you may see:

Text Updated: 07/15
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