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MW Paper 1 > What effects do vineyard pests have on grape quality, and how do grape growers control them? (2022, Q2) > Flashcards

What effects do vineyard pests have on grape quality, and how do grape growers control them? (2022, Q2) Flashcards

1
Q

What is the structure of an essay answering “What effects do vineyard pests have on grape quality and how do grape growers control them?”

A
  1. Introduction
  2. The Effects of Pests on Grape Quality
  3. How Growers Control Pests (Management Strategies)
  4. Conclusion
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2
Q

What are the three subtypes of pests covered in the “Effects” section?

A
  1. Soil-borne pests (e.g., phylloxera, nematodes)
    1. Mammals and birds
    2. Insects (including vectors and berry-feeding pests)
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3
Q

What are the four main types of pest control discussed?

A
  1. Use of resistant rootstocks
    1. Physical barriers (netting, fencing)
    2. Biodiversity and natural predators
    3. Chemical and biological control under IPM (Integrated Pest Management)
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4
Q

How is the “Control” section organized?

A

• Soil-borne pests
• Mammals and birds
• Insects
• Emerging pests

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5
Q

What general impacts can pests have on vineyards?

A

Pests can reduce grape yield, weaken vine health, and lower grape quality, either directly (e.g., feeding on fruit) or indirectly (e.g., spreading diseases).

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6
Q

What are two key examples of soil-borne pests that affect grapevines?

A
  1. Phylloxera
    1. Nematodes
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7
Q

How does phylloxera damage grapevines?

A

It feeds on the roots of Vitis vinifera, causing root galls, restricting nutrient and water uptake, leading to vine weakening, leaf yellowing, reduced photosynthesis, and eventual vine death if uncontrolled.

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8
Q

How does root damage from phylloxera affect grape quality?

A

It reduces photosynthetic efficiency, limiting sugar accumulation, flavor and aroma compound development, and overall ripening.

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9
Q

What is the impact of nematodes on grapevines?

A

Nematodes feed on roots, reducing vine vigor and making roots vulnerable to virus transmission. Some, like Xiphinema index, transmit Grapevine Fanleaf Virus (GFLV).

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10
Q

What are the symptoms of Fanleaf Virus in grapevines?

A

• Deformed leaves
• Poor fruit set
• Uneven ripening
• Reduced yield and quality

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11
Q

How does reduced root function indirectly impact grape composition?

A

Root damage reduces nutrient and water uptake, which limits canopy development and delays ripening—resulting in poor sugar/acid balance, reduced phenolic content, and lower aromatic intensity.

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12
Q

What general impacts can pests have on vineyards?

A

Pests can reduce grape yield, weaken vine health, and lower grape quality, either directly (e.g., feeding on fruit) or indirectly (e.g., spreading diseases).

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13
Q

Which animals are common vineyard pests among mammals and birds?

A

Birds (e.g., starlings, crows)

Mammals (e.g., deer, rabbits, wild boars)

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14
Q

How do birds and mammals directly affect grapevines?

A

They feed on grape berries and/or leaves, reducing photosynthetic area or damaging fruit directly.

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15
Q

What is the impact of leaf loss caused by pests like deer or rabbits?

A

Reduced leaf area decreases photosynthesis, leading to slower ripening, lower sugar accumulation, and weaker flavor and aroma development.

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16
Q

What are the consequences of birds eating or pecking grape berries?

A

• Direct yield loss
• Uneven ripening
• Increased vulnerability to fungal infections like Botrytis (grey rot)

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17
Q

How does Botrytis cinerea affect grape quality?

A

• Reduces fruit integrity
• In red grapes: lowers color stability
• In all wines: reduces aromatic purity and can lead to moldy or dull flavors

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18
Q

Why are bird and mammal attacks especially harmful close to harvest?

A

Because sugar levels are high and berry skins are fragile, damage increases the risk of rot and affects final fruit composition and quality.

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19
Q

What are the two main ways insects affect grapevines?

A
  1. Direct feeding damage (on shoots, leaves, or berries)
    1. Indirect damage by transmitting diseases (as vectors)
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20
Q

What disease do sharpshooters transmit?

A

Pierce’s Disease, caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa.

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21
Q

How does Pierce’s Disease affect grapevines?

A

It clogs the xylem, preventing water transport. This leads to leaf scorch, vine death within 1–5 years, and total crop loss.

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22
Q

What virus can mealybugs and leafhoppers transmit?

A

Grapevine Leafroll-associated Virus (GLRaV), which reduces sugar accumulation and delays ripening.

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23
Q

What visual symptoms are typical of Leafroll Virus

A

• Rolled, downward-curving leaves
• Red or yellow discoloration
• Uneven ripening
• Reduced anthocyanin levels in red grapes

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24
Q

What damage do grape berry moths cause?

A

Their larvae feed on berries, creating wounds that promote rot and reduce fruit integrity.

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25
What is the risk of having too many ladybird beetles (coccinellids) at harvest?
They can release methoxypyrazines, which cause off-flavours (green bell pepper, peanut shell) in the wine.
26
What is Drosophila suzukii, and why is it a problem?
It is the spotted wing drosophila, a fruit fly that lays eggs in ripening berries. The larvae destroy the fruit from within and increase fungal rot risk. Attacked vineyards can have a VA smell during summer sign that grapes are damaged and fermenting.
27
What are cicadelles, and why are they a concern in Europe?
Cicadelles (leafhoppers) are suspected vectors of flavescence dorée, a serious phytoplasma disease affecting vine productivity and longevity.
28
What is the most effective way to control soil-borne pests like phylloxera and nematodes?
Planting resistant rootstocks, typically derived from American Vitis species (e.g., V. riparia, V. rupestris, V. berlandieri).
29
What are the limitations of using soil disinfection before planting?
Soil fumigation or fallowing can reduce pest populations temporarily but do not guarantee long-term protection from future infestations.
30
Why are sandy soils considered phylloxera-resistant but still risky?
Phylloxera cannot survive well in sandy soils, but nematodes thrive in these conditions, so rootstock selection remains essential.
31
What recent examples highlight the risk of assuming pest-free conditions?
Outbreaks of phylloxera in Yarra Valley (Australia) and Central Otago (New Zealand)—regions once considered phylloxera-free—have forced costly replanting with resistant rootstocks.
32
What are the most common methods to protect vineyards from birds and mammals?
• Netting • Fencing • Scare devices (e.g., bird scarers, reflective tape) • Noise deterrents (e.g., propane cannons)
33
What are the advantages and disadvantages of netting?
Advantage: • Highly effective at protecting grapes from birds Disadvantages: • High cost (material + labor) • Hinders access for vineyard workers and machinery • Can trap small animals or damage vines if not removed carefully
34
What role does vineyard biodiversity play in pest control?
Encouraging biodiversity creates habitats for natural predators (e.g., birds of prey, foxes), which helps control populations of pest species in a natural and sustainable way.
35
Give two examples of how growers increase vineyard biodiversity.
• Planting hedgerows or native shrubs • Installing nesting boxes for owls or raptors
36
What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
A sustainable pest control strategy combining monitoring, prevention, cultural practices, biological control, and targeted chemical use to keep pest levels below economic thresholds while minimizing environmental impact.
37
What are the key components of IPM in viticulture?
1. Pest monitoring and threshold assessment 2. Use of resistant cultivars or rootstocks 3. Habitat management and biodiversity 4. Biological control agents 5. Minimal and precise use of pesticides only when necessary
38
What is pheromone disruption, and how is it used in vineyards?
It involves releasing synthetic insect pheromones to confuse males, preventing them from finding females and disrupting reproduction. Commonly used against grape berry moths.
39
What are biological control agents used in viticulture?
Natural predators or parasites like: • Parasitic wasps (target caterpillars or mealybugs) • Predatory mites • Ladybugs (when not in excess) • Lacewings
40
What are the risks of relying too much on chemical insecticides?
• Resistance development in pests • Non-target organism death • Environmental pollution • Residue concerns in grapes and wine
41
How do growers reduce chemical use in sustainable viticulture?
By prioritizing biological control, monitoring-based spraying, and cultural practices like canopy management to reduce pest habitats.
42
Give an example of combining chemical and non-chemical methods under IPM.
Use pheromone traps for grape berry moth and apply a targeted insecticide spray only if monitoring shows high pest pressure.
43
What is Drosophila suzukii and why is it a concern in vineyards?
Drosophila suzukii (spotted wing drosophila) is a fruit fly that lays eggs inside ripening grapes. The larvae destroy the berries and increase the risk of rot and fungal infections.
44
What strategies are used to manage Drosophila suzukii?
• Monitoring with traps • Timely harvesting to avoid infestation windows • Canopy management to reduce humidity • Insecticide sprays when necessary (though less effective once fruit is infested)
45
What are cicadelles and what disease are they associated with?
Cicadelles (leafhoppers) are associated with flavescence dorée, a serious phytoplasma disease spreading across Europe.
46
What are the symptoms and consequences of flavescence dorée?
• Leaf yellowing or reddening • Poor cane lignification • Flower or fruit abortion • Vine decline or death It can be devastating to vine health and yield, and is subject to strict quarantine in many EU countries.
47
What control methods are used for cicadelles (leafhoppers)?
• Insecticide treatments (regulated in affected regions) • Removal of infected vines • Monitoring and reporting under government phytosanitary programs • Controlling nearby wild vines that may host the disease
48
What’s the challenge in managing emerging pests?
There’s often limited scientific knowledge, no established thresholds, and few registered control products, so growers must act proactively and adjust quickly.
49
How do growers adapt to emerging threats like these?
• Stay informed via extension services and research institutions • Use early monitoring and preventive cultural techniques • Incorporate new pests into IPM programs as data becomes available
50
Why is pest control critical for grape quality?
Because pests can reduce yields, weaken vines, disrupt ripening, cause off-flavours, and spread serious diseases—all of which lower grape quality and wine potential.
51
What are the main categories of pest impacts on grapes?
1. Direct damage to fruit or canopy 2. Indirect damage via disease transmission 3. Economic and logistical consequences (e.g., need for replanting, delayed harvests)
52
What is the modern approach to pest control in viticulture?
A combination of resistant material, preventive practices, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) that balances efficacy and sustainability.
53
What makes pest control a complex task for growers?
• Pest diversity (soil, aerial, insect, animal) • Local vineyard conditions (soil, climate, regulations) • Evolving pest threats and limited solutions for new invasions
54
Why is adaptability important in modern pest management?
Because pest pressure is constantly changing due to climate shifts, global trade, and evolving ecosystems—requiring growers to stay informed and flexible in their strategies.
55
What indirect effect can nematodes have on grapevines?
They create entry points for viruses like Fanleaf Virus, which cause vine degeneration and poor fruit set.
56
How do birds and mammals reduce grape quality?
By eating leaves or berries, reducing photosynthesis, delaying ripening, and increasing risk of rot (e.g., grey rot from berry damage).
57
Name three insect-related threats to grape quality.
1. Sharpshooters – vector of Pierce’s Disease 2. Mealybugs/leafhoppers – transmit Leafroll Virus 3. Coccinellids (ladybugs) – cause methoxypyrazine taint in wine
58
What is IPM (Integrated Pest Management)?
A strategy combining monitoring, prevention, biological control, and minimal pesticide use to control pests sustainably.
59
How do growers manage insect pests sustainably?
With pheromone disruption, biocontrol agents, targeted spraying, and integration into IPM programs.
60
What are examples of emerging pest threats?
• Drosophila suzukii (spotted wing drosophila) • Cicadelles (leafhoppers) spreading flavescence dorée

MW Paper 1 (11 decks)

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