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JANUARY NEWS New Pest Invades Western Vineyards Virginia creeper leafhopper has few predators, can denude vines S anta Rosa, Calif.���The University of California Cooperative Extension is warning Northern California grapegrowers that their vineyards may be under attack from a newly invasive pest. The Virginia creeper leafhopper (VCLH) is related to the familiar western grape leafhopper in behavior, appearance and appetite���but unfortunately, VCLH (Erythroneura ziczac Walsh) is apparently not on the menu for the beneficial Anagrus wasps that parasitize the eggs and inhibit the spread of native leafhoppers. According to a UCCE news release, VCLH have been detected in vineyards from the Oregon border to the northern Sacramento Valley, northern Sierra foothills and Lake and Mendocino counties���mostly in backyard vines and organic vineyards. None have been reported in California���s Sonoma or Napa counties, nor in Oregon. Rhonda Smith, viticulture farm advisor for Sonoma County, speculated that be- Extension advisors say Virginia Creeper leafhoppers have been detected from the Oregon-California border as far south as Lake and Mendocino counties (above.) cause VCLH is well suited to cold climates it may be advancing south from British Columbia, where researchers have studied it at the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre (PARC) in Summerland. ���It has no problem with cold temperatures,��� Smith told Wines & Vines. ���We don���t know how well it will establish in warmer sites. ���It���s rare that a grower���organic or conventional���in the North Coast has to spray for vineyard pests, except for the exotics. That���s because of the parasitoid wasps, which provide a natural control,��� Smith explained. In the case of VCLH vs. western grape leafhoppers, the parasitoid wasps haven���t learned to recognize the eggs laid by female VCLH on the underside of grape leaves as many as three generations per year. Although it winesandvines.com Learn more: is a ���C-rated��� pest Search keywords and not report���Virginia leafhopper.��� able, Smith recommended that pest control advisors and viticulturists inspect for VCLH when monitoring vineyards. ���Jane Firstenfeld Great wines��� silent partner Attention to detail is inherent to every great wine. We understand your effort, which is why we spend so much time crafting a barrel you can count on to complement your fruit. The T.W. Boswell collection embodies our commitment to excellence ��� it is defined by meticulous standards, full transparency and guaranteed consistency. This elevated standard of excellence honors four generations of coopering expertise while celebrating the passion of the wine world. SEE US AT UNIFIED, BOOTHS #924 & #930 Win es & Vin es JA N UA RY 20 13 19