Grape erineum mite: Postharvest sulfur use reduces subsequent leaf blistering

The occurrence of eriophyid mites (Calepitrimerus vitis [rust mites] and Colomerus vitis [erineum mites and bud mites]) in vineyards worldwide is associated with leaf deformation, stunted shoot growth and reduced yield potential. In the North Coast region of California, leaf blistering by the erineum strain of Colomerus vitis is the most widespread symptom of eriophyid mite damage. Unlike rust and bud mites, erineum mites are generally considered a nuisance pest that is incidentally controlled by sulfur-dominated management programs for powdery mildew. However, recent reductions in the use of sulfur have allowed erineum mite populations to expand, highlighting the need for alternative management options. In this study, we posited that, during autumn, mites moving to buds from erinea (leaf blisters) to overwinter could be susceptible to sulfur applications. During four growing seasons, we documented patterns of mite movement to identify key sulfur application timing. We found the greatest numbers of migrating erineum mites from late September to early November. Concurrently, in replicated trials, we evaluated the efficacy of postharvest sulfur applications to reduce blistering. Sulfur applied during the migration period in 2013 appeared to eradicate leaf blistering in the 2014 growing season. In subsequent trials, sulfur treatments reduced blistering to less than 10% incidence, compared to 40% to 50% incidence in control plots.

Calepitrimerus vitis. [Distribution map].

A new distribution map is provided for Calepitrimerus vitis Nalepa. Arachnida: Eriophyidae. Host: grapevine (Vitis vinifera). Information is given on the geographical distribution in Europe (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Sicily, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland), Asia (India, Jammu and Kashmir, Korea Republic, Turkey), Africa (Angola), North America (USA, California, Oregon, Washington), South America (Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul) and Oceania (Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, New Zealand).

EFFECT OF ACARICIDES ON Calepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa, 1905) (ACARI: ERIOPHYIDAE) AND ON THE PRODUCTION OF VINEYARDS

ABSTRACT The southernmost region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, has emerged as one of the major poles for fine grape production (Vitis vinifera) for wine processing. In this region, grapevine rust mite (Calepitrimerus vitis) is one of the major pests for the culture; however, information is lacking about production losses caused by this species and acaricides for its control. In this paper, the acaricide effect of azadarachtin, boron + nitrogen on orange peel oil, sulfur and spirodiclofen on C. vitis on Merlot cultivar commercial grapevine was evaluated and production losses caused by the presence of the mite were estimated. The experiment was conducted during the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 growing seasons, comparing the infestation levels of C. vitis and phytoseiid mites on plants treated with acaricides by the use of sticky traps. The acaricides evaluated caused a significant drop in the population of C. vitis, and spirodiclofen was the most effective, followed by sulfur, while boron + nitrogen and azadarachtin were the less effective. The products evaluated did not affect the phytoseiid population present in the experimental area. The grape production in parcels treated with spirodiclofen was significantly greater (7.430 ± 871kg.ha-1) than in the uncontrolled parcel (6.074 ± 316kg.ha-1). Significant differences in the total sourness, pH, sugar percentage, and total sugar content of grapes between treated parcels and control were not observed. The control of C. vitis with spirodiclofen and sulfur is effective to reduce losses on yield and will not affect the population of Phytoseiids. The control of C. vitis should be carried out at the beginning of infestation with rotation of active ingredients.

A Rapid Method to Assess Grape Rust Mites on Leaves and Observations from Case Studies in Western Oregon Vineyards

The grape rust mite [Calepitrimerus vitis (Acari: Eriophyidae)] is an important pest of grapevines (Vitis sp.) in grape-growing regions around the world. A rapid method for extracting eriophyoid mites was adapted from earlier studies to provide integrated pest management (IPM) consultants and commercial growers with a practical, efficient, and reliable tool to monitor grape rust mites in vineyards and nursery stock vines. The rinse in bag (RIB) method allows quick extraction of mites from young shoots or from leaves using 35% to 70% ethanol or isopropanol in a sealable plastic bag. The RIB method recovered ≈85% of grape rust mites from single leaves in the first rinse. The method is useful to estimate grape rust mites on young shoots (≤10 cm length), although recovery of grape rust mites (average ranging from 35% to 81%) was lower because of a higher density of trichomes on young shoots as compared with leaf samples. The RIB method was not effective to assess grape rust mites within dormant buds, so a separate method using a blender to disrupt tissues and extract mites in alcohol was developed. The RIB method was used to determine grape rust mite abundance with leaf symptoms in commercial vineyards and nursery stock vines. The earliest visible symptom of grape rust mite damage on leaves in the summer was the development of stippling that is distinct from the type of damage caused by other grapevine pests. The stippling is described as numerous clear zones of small diameter (resembling pinholes) that are visible when a leaf is backlit. The severity of stippling was related to the number of grape rust mites present on leaves, with >600 occurring on leaves with severe stippling symptoms. In commercial vineyard case studies, the RIB method was used over two seasons and revealed that grape rust mite populations remained on leaves until postharvest, and foliar applications of wettable sulfur reduced grape rust mite populations on leaves.

Dinâmica populacional de Calepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa) (Acari: eriophyidae) em cultivares de videira na região da campanha do Rio Grande do Sul

Na Região da Campanha do Rio Grande do Sul, o ácaro-da-ferrugem-da-videira, Calepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa) (Acari: Eriophyidae), é encontrado com frequência em vinhedos de cultivares europeias, desde a safra de 2004/2005, causando bronzeamento nas folhas. A dinâmica populacional de C. vitis nas cultivares Chardonnay e Merlot foi avaliada em vinhedo comercial localizado no município de Dom Pedrito, na região da Campanha, durante os anos agrícolas de 2005/2006 e 2006/2007, por meio de amostragem realizada em folhas das posições basal, intermediária e apical de ramos de produção. O pico populacional de C. vitis ocorre entre o final de fevereiro e o início de março, sendo seguido de forte declínio populacional. A infestação variou de intensidade entre as cultivares de acordo com o ano, sendo a cultivar Chardonnay mais infestada no primeiro ano, e Merlot, no segundo. Folhas na posição basal, mediana e apical apresentam níveis similares de infestação. Uma correlação positiva foi encontrada entre o número de C. vitis na face abaxial das folhas e o percentual de folhas com infestação.

Efeito de agrotóxicos sobre Calepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa, 1905) (Acari: Eriophyidae) na região da campanha do Rio Grande do Sul

O Rio Grande do Sul apresenta a maior área de cultivo de videiras no Brasil; neste Estado, a Região da Campanha possui características edafoclimáticas adequadas à produção de cultivares viníferas de origem europeia e apresentou, na primeira década deste milênio, significativa expansão de área. A partir de 2005, o ácaro-da-ferrugem-da-videira, Calepitrimerus vitis, passou a ser encontrado com frequência nos vinhedos da Campanha. Nos países onde esta espécie está estabelecida, reduções significativas na produção de uva são observadas, e a necessidade de controle é constante, não havendo, até o momento, produtos autorizados no Brasil para o controle de C. vitis. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar diversos agrotóxicos quanto à eficiência de controle de C. vitis em um vinhedo comercial, na região da Campanha do Rio Grande do Sul. O experimento foi conduzido durante os anos de 2008 e 2009, comparando o nível de infestação nas plantas através do emprego de armadilhas adesivas. No ano de 2008, a eficiência de controle durante o outono não diferiu da testemunha. O emprego de enxofre em uma única pulverização no outono, ou em duas pulverizações, sendo uma no outono e outra na primavera, controlou eficientemente C. vitis na primavera. Os acaricidas abamectina e espirodiclofeno foram eficientes no controle de C. vitis na primavera, tanto com uma única pulverização, como com duas pulverizações, sendo uma no outono e outra na primavera. No outono de 2009, os tratamentos com espirodiclofeno e cihexatina foram eficientes no controle de C. vitis. O ácaro-da-ferrugem-da-videira é controlado eficientemente com pulverizações de cihexatina, enxofre ou espirodiclofeno no outono ou durante a primavera com abamectina, enxofre ou espirodiclofeno.