Dec 22, 2015

MSU Extension launches grape pest search tool

Michigan State University Extension has developed the Grape pest and beneficial search, an online tool for identifying diseases, insect pests and beneficial organisms in vineyards.

The new tool is formatted as a search engine where the user can enter either the name of the pest or beneficial, or the time of year when the pest or beneficial appears on the plant and where on the plant it’s located (fruit, leaves, buds, roots, shoots).

Enter any of these and get a description of the pests or beneficials you’re likely to be encountering, complete with damage description, life cycle and pictures.

The information is largely drawn from “A Pocket Guide for Grape IPM Scouting in the North Central & Eastern United States.” If answers to questions about insects or diseases in grapevines aren’t found in the Grape pest and beneficial search tool, information may be found using eXtension’s Ask an Expert or contacting a local MSU Extension office.

Users can offer suggestions to improve the search tool, which is still in beta version, by filling out a survey.

The project was funded in part by grants from Project GREEEN and the MSU Integrated Pest Management Program.

For more information visit the Michigan State University Extension website.