Mar 13, 2024
Sustainable pest management winegrape webinar focus

An upcoming webinar is deigned to inform winegrape growers about recent research on biological control in winegrapes.

The WAVEx webinar is scheduled for March 21 from 12:30–1:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

The event is sponsored by the Washington State Wine Commission (WSWC) and Washington State University (WSU).

David James, WSU entomologist, is scheduled to share insights of recently completed research studying aerial release of beneficial insects and predators in Washington winegrape vineyards and use of attractants to optimize their work. The two-year project evaluated the effectiveness of combining the insect attractance methyl salicylate with drone release of beneficials on control of spider mites and grape mealybug.

The research, supported by the Washington wine industry, was conducted in a commercial vineyard near Benton City, Washington. The strategy has potential to reduce labor costs and chemical inputs and provide additional tools for growers participating in the Washington wine industry’s new Sustainable WA certification program, according to a news release.

Washington Advancements in Viticulture and Enology (WAVE) is the Washington State Wine Commission’s seminar and webinar series focused on wine research. WAVEx is the condensed, shorter webinar series.

The WSWC represents all licensed winery and winegrape growers in Washington. Guided by an appointed board, WSWC provides a marketing platform to raise awareness about Washington’s wine industry and generate greater demand for its wines. Funded almost entirely by the industry through assessments based on grape and wine sales, WSWC is a state government agency, established by the legislature in 1987.