TRAPPING
Use traps and monitor insects to provide:
- information on pest activity
- information on insect numbers
- validation of degree-day models, which predict insect emergence
information to optimize spray timing - assessment of the performance of mating disruption through sentinel traps.
Most traps catch only the adult stage of the pest and do not provide information on the destructive larval stage.
The two types of traps used in grapes to monitor are pheromone traps and visual traps. See more about traps used in grapes.
Pheromone traps: Use pheromone traps to determine the presence or absence of pests and the first sustained flight or peak activity of certain pests. This information is used in conjunction with degree day models to predict when egg hatch begins, and determine the best timing for control measures. Traps should be placed 40-100 meters apart. Pheromone traps are used to monitor for grape berry moth.
Visual attractants: Yellow sticky boards are attractive to certain insects because they provide a visual stimulus. They are used to indicate the presence and relative abundance of a pest (various types of leafhoppers).
Check traps twice a week, recording trap count and removing insects from the trap. Be sure to place traps in vineyard prior to insect flight. Always inspect leaves and berries in conjunction with the traps in order to make an assessment of insect activity and damage.
Replace pheromones throughout the season, referring to manufacturer's instructions on how long pheromones last. Remove insects and debris from pheromone traps and yellow sticky boards when traps are checked. Replace when they become full of insects, wet or dirty.
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