Grapegrowers and winemakers enlisted as pest sleuths(2)
Hoenisch said, “We need the eyes and ears of people who are involved in agriculture, food processing and horticulture. As professionals who have local knowledge of normal and unusual pests and pathogens, you are in a key position to provide an important service as a First Detector.”
First Detectors complete online training modules, instructing them how to recognize invasive organisms and how to collect and package samples for further diagnosis at regional lab facilities. Registered First Detectors receive email notices and alerts for conditions to watch for in case a biosecurity event occurs, or when a new invasive pest or pathogen is discovered. First Detectors also receive a quarterly newsletter with pest updates and information about regional meetings and workshops. Hoenisch said about 20,000 First Detectors currently are registered nationwide, about 5,000 of them in California.
Information about NPDN and First Detector training is at npdn.org. Specific information and training registration is available from Hoenisch at (530) 754-2255 or rwhoenisch@ucdavis.edu.
Another partner is the USDA National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS), which maintains the NPDN database and a “Pest Tracker” website at Purdue University with updated information, survey maps, quarantine locations and pest histories for pests of concern throughout the U.S. The NAPIS Pest Tracker is online at ceris.purdue.edu/napis/index/html.
Stink bug in California
Hoenisch discussed how NPDN assisted with detection and mitigation efforts for vineyard pest threats in California, including the European grapevine moth and the light brown apple moth. He provided an update about the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), a pest of national concern to the fruit and grape industries that is being closely watched by the NPDN. The pest is native to Asia, and was first identified in the U.S. in Allentown, Penn., in 1998. It has also been found in New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Oregon and California. It has damaged fruit and grape crops in the Eastern United States. Hoenisch cited research indicating BMSBs can taint wine with a smell of bitter cilantro or paint thinner if present on crushed grapes in levels as low as five bugs per 40 pounds.
The BMSB has been established in urban locations in Los Angeles County, Calif., since 2006, in the cities of Pasadena, San Marino, Alhambra, Los Angeles and Temple City. Damage in the county has been reported on tree fruits and leaves but was noticeable only when large numbers of nymphs were present.
BMSB specimens have been collected and identified in other California counties since 2002: Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, Santa Clara and Solano. Sightings are associated with articles or vehicles recently coming from infested areas in the east. CDFA border stations have intercepted BMSB 24 times since 2006 in vehicles coming from the eastern U.S.
Wine production survey seeks input
UCD extension enologist Anita Oberholster asks winemakers to complete a wine production survey to help plan future enology extension programs and research.
UC Davis enology extension specialist Dr. Anita Oberholster asked winemakers to complete a one-page survey, “Current issues in managing cost and quality in wine production.” The survey asks winemakers to identify and provide information about materials and products used for fermentation and as processing aids, equipment and technologies; specific winemaking practices and their degree of success in product quality improvement and being cost-effective.
Oberholster said the information would be used to plan future extension workshops and programs about successful winemaking tools and practices. The information could also be used to target research into promising new tools and technologies and to apply for research funding. Access and complete the survey at wineserver.ucdavis.edu/survey/. Send completed surveys to Oberholster at aoberholster@ucdavis.edu by March 15.
A video of the 2012 research conference presentations will be posted for viewing in the near future on the UC Integrated Viticulture website. Conference presentations from previous years are now available at the website under “Videotaped Seminars and Events.”
