Longtailed mealybug - a tricky pest in the west

摘要

Longtailed mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus) infestations in winegrape vineyards in Western Australia have inexplicably increased in severity over the past few seasons. The insect has been present in wine and tablegrapes for many years, but has surged to importance, especially in the more coastal wine-producing regions. Vignerons and winemakers are adversely affected by mealybug infestation of grapes. Exudations of honey dew from mature mealybugs result in the presence of sooty mould (see Photo 1)which has been reported to affect fermentation and to taint wine. Mealybugs are capable of transmitting plant virus diseases and while no studies on this have been undertaken in Western Australia, there have been observations that some virus-like symptoms have become more apparent in association with heavy mealybug infestations.