Vineyard leafhoppers: Identification of vineyard leafhoppers and management in organic vineyards
Managing Argentine ants as part of an integrated program for sap-feeding insects, including mealybugs. Monitor vineyards for sugar-feeding ants and prepare gelatinous or agar-based baits targeting ant colonies.
Pierce's disease is a vector-transmitted bacterial disease of grapevine. Important concepts of disease ecology inform management. Identify vectors of Xylella fastidiosa (sharpshooters and spittlebugs) in North Coast vineyards. Sharpshooter identification and biology (in Spanish).
Grapevine red blotch disease is a vector-transmitted viral disease of grapevine. Distinguish visual symptoms of grapevine red blotch disease from other vineyard disorders. Understand grapevine red blotch disease progression and patterns of distribution, using adaptive cluster sampling. Identify and monitor treehopper girdles in vineyards. Understand the challenges of decision-making for grapevine viral diseases.
Interested in the LAMP assay to detect GRBV? Access the materials and supplies cost sheet (version 3, 2025). Collect trunk samples for the LAMP-GRBV assay.
Observations of field symptoms suggest that the Mystery disease expressed in the Napa Valley is similar to yellow speckle disease common to Australia. Two viroids, grapevine yellow speckle-1 and-2 (GYSVd-1 & GYSVd-2), have been reported as agents inducing yellow speckle. Analyses of samples collected in Napa Valley detected GYSVd-1 in every vine from field sources of the "mystery disease". Studies indicate that the causal agent of yellow speckle can be present in non-symptomatic field grown vines. Yellow speckle and vein-banding disease expression therefore, appear to be related to a stress complex of biotic, climatic, and cultural factors.