Apr 8, 2022

Registration opens for Washington winegrape phylloxera webinar

Growers can register for an April 20 WAVEx web seminar designed to show winegrape growers how to assess, deal with and prepare for phylloxera insects in their vineyards.

The free Washington Advancements in Viticulture and Enology (WAVE) WAVEx webinar will show participants how to use the recently developed Phylloxera Risk Assessment Map to determine the pest’s risk in their vineyards.

Phylloxera are tiny aphid-like insects that feed on grapevine roots and cause decline in vine health and vigor. The pest was discovered in Washington wine growing regions several years ago. Research supported by the Washington State Wine Commission is providing new knowledge about the pest under Washington conditions.

Some Washington vineyards are more susceptible to phylloxera due to soil type and soil temperatures than previously thought, according to a news release. As part of research funded by the Washington wine industry, Washington State University (WSU) scientists developed a risk assessment map to help growers identify vineyards with potential for phylloxera establishment.

Pesticide recertification credit (1.0) will be available from Washington and Oregon agriculture departments.

Michelle Moyer, WSU statewide extension viticulturist, will discuss how to use the map and access additional resources. WSU entomologist Doug Walsh, who leads the research, will share preliminary results from two years of pesticide efficacy trials and soil solar radiation treatments.

WAVE is Washington wine industry’s signature research event held annually to highlight research supported by the Washington State wine industry. WAVEx narrows in on a more specific topic in a condensed format.