My research addressed pheromone lure design and the activity of the grape berry moth, Paralobesia viteana, flight and infestation across three years of study. In my lure evaluations, I found all commercial lures contained impurities and inconsistencies that have implications for management. First, sex pheromone concentration in lures affected both target and non-target attraction to traps, while the blend of sex pheromones impacted attraction to P. viteana. Second, over the duration of study, 54 vineyard blocks were sampled for the pest in and around cultivated wine grape in Virginia. The trapping studies indicated earliest and sustained emergence of the spring generation in sex pheromone traps placed in a wooded periphery. Later, moths were detected most often in the vineyard, which indicated that P. viteana emerged and aggregated in woods prior to flying and egg-laying in vineyards. My research supports use of woods and vineyard trap monitoring at both the height of 2 meters and in the periphery of respective environments. These conditions should improve grower efficiency when using trapping as a tool. Cluster infestation was assessed relative to vineyard growth stage and location in the vineyard. My results are in agreement with historical studies that suggest infestation is highest in the periphery of vineyards. However, I found that infestation peaked at veraison before falling somewhat around pre-harvest. This indicated that growers should manage this pest prior to veraison, perhaps as early as budbreak, to prevent the insect from reaching damaging levels when the crop is more susceptible to loss. Lastly, by combining field-based data collection with remote climate and landscape monitoring, growers can achieve a greater level of surveillance of P. viteana. A mash up of remote and vineyard-based data can provide substantive pertinent information for management at both local and regional scales. If one grower identifies moth emergence, then growers nearby potentially can use that same information to initiate models to monitor development of the moth population in their own vineyard. This research complements the notion that the more a community shares information, the broader its applicability becomes to neighbors. / Ph. D.

Mealybugs (Order Hemiptera: Superfamily Coccoidea) represent a persistent problem in grape-growing regions globally, with a notable increase in infestations in recent times. The current study investigates the species composition and seasonal dynamics of mealybugs in vineyards. Pseudococcus maritimus and Ferissia gilli remain the dominant species, while Pseudococcus viburni was also spotted during two separate instances and Planococcus ficus remained absent. Commercially available pheromone delta traps and adhesive bands were deployed to capture the male mealybugs, while numerically higher efficacy was observed in the adhesive band trap. Notably, the placement of adhesive band traps on the cordon and trunk revealed differential male mealybug captures, probably indicating their movement within the vines. The research also divulges into the life cycle of mealybugs and their population densities during the sampling season. The main highlight has been the lower population density of earlier nymphal stages of the first generation of mealybugs followed by the colonization of grapevines by the second-generation crawlers. Adults of second generations give rise to the overwintering stages of mealybugs. Traditionally the research also explores the species and seasonal population dynamics of ants along with mealybugs and their management in Virginia vineyards. The activity of fifteen genera of ants in the vineyard was recorded, with some of the dominant ant genera like Tetramorium, Crematogaster, and Lasius were recorded in the vineyard actively tending and defending the mealybugs and moving them around. Fruit cluster infestation was also higher in the control treatment in comparison to sugar dispenser and ant bait dispenser treatments. This comprehensive assessment of ant diversity further deepens our understanding of the intricate ecosystem within vineyards. A spray trial using three different insecticides with distinct modes of action (Buprofezin, Bifenthrin, and Spirotetramat) in two of the commercial vineyards. Preliminary results indicate that on some days after treatment, insecticides effectively controlled mealybug populations, offering a glimmer of hope to vineyard owners grappling with infestations. Mealybugs pose a significant threat to grape cultivation, and this research provides valuable insights that can help vineyard owners and grape growers develop more targeted and effective control strategies. Species identification, understanding their behavior, and exploring potential allies in the fight against mealybugs are all crucial steps toward maintaining the health and productivity of vineyards in Virginia. While challenges remain in the battle against mealybugs, this research marks a significant step forward in safeguarding grape cultivation in Virginia and potentially reshaping strategies for controlling these persistent pests in vineyards. Growers and researchers alike eagerly await further developments and the practical application of these findings to protect the flourishing vineyards of the region. / Doctor of Philosophy / Mealybugs are common grapevine pests, recently causing a nuisance in vineyards across the United States and Canada. Some of the previously documented species of mealybugs common in the eastern part of the States include grape mealybug, obscure mealybug, Gill's mealybug, and long-tailed mealybugs. The research has mainly addressed the mealybugs and their tending ant species and their management in vineyards in Virginia. The study identifies grape mealybug and Gill's mealybug as the dominant species with occasional sightings of obscure mealybug and a lack of vine mealybug throughout the sampled vineyard sites. The male mealybugs were monitored using commercially available pheromone delta traps and adhesive band traps. Placement of adhesive band traps in the cordon and trunk of grapevines revealed different male mealybug capture data suggesting their movement within the grapevines. Two generations of mealybugs including the first generation with lower population density emerging out from the overwintering life-stage and the subsequent second generation responsible for colonizing different parts of the grapevines and producing overwintering life-stages were observed. Fifteen genera of ants were sampled from the vineyard via pitfall trap with some ants like pavement ants, acrobat ants, and medium garden ants actively tending and protecting the mealybugs. The use of sugar dispensers in the vineyards also led to lower fruit cluster infestations with mealybugs in comparison to the area without dispensers. The insecticidal spray trial using three different insecticides was also effective in controlling populations of mealybugs on some of the dates after treatment. The research offers valuable insights for grape growers, aiding in the development of effective control strategies for mealybug control. It emphasizes the importance of identifying the species present, understanding their behavior, and exploring potential allies and insecticide options in pest management.