Monday, 15 August 2022 17:25

Weevils in the Vines

Written by  Sophie Preece

Increasing reports of weevil damage to vines in Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa led researchers to ascertain the culprits.

Grape Days 2022 audiences heard about the one-year programme from Bragato Research Institute (BRI) Viticulture Extension and Research Manager Len Ibbotson, along with Scott Hardwick from AgResearch, and David Jordan from Vine to Wine. The scope of the project was to increase grower awareness, find out what weevil species are present in vineyards, estimate the current and future economic impact of weevil damage, and make a recommendation for next steps, says Len.

The research found that the main species present on vines in mature vineyards during the summer months appear to be garden weevil (Phlyctinus callosus), which was associated with chewing damage to leaves and bunches. “Adult garden weevil, having emerged from the soil, began appearing on vines during November to December and most of the chewing damage occurred during December and January,” he explains. The damage and incidence appears “patchily distributed within vineyards, with “hotspots” of high incidence and moderate to severe damage.

Fuller’s rose weevils (Pantomorus cervinus) were also seen in late summer and on fruit at the winery.

For more information go to nzwine.com/media/20546/bri-research-fact-sheet_weevilmonitoring.pdf

More like this

BRIght Ideas: Loveblock Innovations

The Bragato Research Institute Research Winery has helped Marlborough's Loveblock winery refine the use of oenological tannins, specifically tannin extracted from green tea.

PhD Précis: Peggy Tsai

When Peggy Tsai’s horticulture degree took her to one of the few wineries in Taiwan, it set her on a path to “winederland”.

Science Scoop: Inaugural Scientific Research Conference

The inaugural New Zealand Wine Centre Scientific Research Conference was designed “by researchers for researchers”, says co-organiser Dr Stewart Field, Viticultural Researcher at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology .

PhD Précis: Sukhpreet Kaur Gill

Sukhpreet Kaur Gill is inspired by the amazing things that you can do with chemistry, including studies that can be applied in real life – such as wine.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Editorial

Welcome to 2024!

Welcome to 2024!

OPINION: The New Year is now well underway and appears to have started promisingly on the weather front, with lots…

Agritech's relentless growth

Agritech's relentless growth

OPINION: Witnessing the relentless growth of agritech in New Zealand vineyards and wineries is somewhat "bittersweet" for Tahryn Mason, who…

Popular Reads

Ten years of Méthode Marlborough

New Zealand wine enthusiasts have a deepening understanding and growing appreciation of sparkling wine, says Mel Skinner, Chair of Méthode Marlborough…