The vine mealybug, (Planococcus ficus Signoret) has recently been found in several North Coast vineyards. It is potentially a much more serious pest than a mealybug of similar name, grape mealybug, (Pseudococcus maritimus Ehrhorn), which is already found in many grape-growing regions. The vine mealybug is difficult or impossible to eradicate from vineyards as some of its population remains belowground on the vine trunk and roots. It produces much more honeydew than other mealybug species, thereby covering fruit, leaves, and bark with sooty mold and potentially rendering fruit unsaleable. Rhonda Smith, University of California Cooperative Extension Sonoma County Viticulture Advisor, has written a thorough report on the vine mealybug and its control in her September 2002 newsletter. You can find this on the web here. Printed copies are available at the farm advisor's office in Lakeport. There is also a UC publication, "Mealybugs in California Vineyards", telling about the biology of the insect, and UC Pest Management Guidelines for the vine mealybug can be found here.

North Coast vine mealybug infestations appear to have arrived on nursery stock as they have been found in newly planted vineyards. (Vine mealybug is also readily spread on equipment, machinery and even on clothes). As the vine mealybug is tiny, and can be present under bark or on roots, it often takes a year or more for an infestation to become visible. Newly developed pheromone traps may make it possible to detect infestations before they are very large. These traps attract male mealybugs when they fly in September and April.

The main focus for trapping will be in new vineyards and vineyards with re-plants that were planted after 2000. UCCE and the Lake County Agricultural Commissioner’s office will be coordinating a trapping program. A commercial version of the traps is being produced by SuterraTM , and the are expected to be available through local distributors by April. The male mealybugs are very tiny, about the size of a grain of sand, and training is needed to be able to identify them. There will be a training session sponsored by UCCE on February 28, 2003, 3-5 p.m. at the Social Services Office, 1206 S. Main St., Lakeport. Call 263-6838 for information. In April UCCE will offer training in Spanish to instruct field workers on how to recognize vine mealybug infestations in the field.

The vine mealybug is a very serious vineyard pest. An infestation caught early may be eradicated, but once established, presence of the vine mealybug will require annual insecticide applications and very careful coordination of crews and equipment to avoid spread of the mealybug to neighboring vineyards.