Monday, May 21, 2012

Grape Berry Moth

Last year we had such a bountiful harvest of Concord grapes from just two plants.




They were just beautiful and we were able to share quite a bit with family and neighbors.

Naturally, we thought we would have an even larger crop this year,

but it was not meant to be.




We are finding extensive damage that has literally just occurred (everything was fine last week)

and through my hasty research I believe the Grape Berry Moth is the culprit.





Eggs are laid in mid-May that hatch larvae in four days and they feast on all of your fruits.

It all happened so fast, we weren't even aware.

Now there are almost no grapes left.




Research dictates that if this happens to your grapes,

you should continue to treat the pests all summer...

they are in the stems and in the ground, and will come back again

if a management plan is not established.




You can see how the small fruits have been devoured and the stripped stems protrude like hairs.

They should ALL have a tiny grape on them.

This is not a leaf-eating pest, they are attacking the crop.

They can be treated with Carbaryl, an insecticide found in the product Sevin.

I'm using it now to save my vines, but I guess my grapes will no longer be pesticide free.

A little irritated over the fact that the grapes are blown for the whole year now.

If anyone has any other idea on what this may be other than the Grape Berry Moth,

let me know.

12 comments:

Myric said...

Sorry to hear about your grapes. I don't know anything about pest treatment. I just think it is so cool you are growing grapes :)

xo
Myric

Julie Marie said...

I do know that skunks will eat grapes until they make themselves sick... do you have skunks where you live?... we had them at the little farm we used to have and they would come in the night and eat my grapes... xoxo Julie Marie

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

Thanks so much for stopping to comment at Quirky Vistas. Sad about your grapes. I hope you get it all taken care of. I love your table in the post below. Such beautiful work you do.

Liz

Something Nice and Pretty said...

The picture of the grapes is beautiful, sorry I can't help you with the problem, I'd just do what I had to do so that next year you will have an abundance of grapes!

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

How awful, hopfully you will get it all taken care of so it doesn't happen next year!!

Snooks said...

Oh know. Huge bummer!!! So sorry. I am sure you all must be let down.

@ 3Beeze Homestead

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

I'm sorry your grapes are being eaten by the Grape Berry Moth. I'm sure you will miss those delicious looking grapes this year.

Raindrops and Daisies said...

Won't need to worry about grapes here
they would die of cold!

I can't imagine growing anything as exotic as grapes,
sounds fantastic.

Sorry to hear they have been eaten
and I hope you come up with a solution.

Fiona x

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Sorry to hear about your grapes. I hope the problem gets solved. Love your blog! New follower.

Jody

NanaDiana said...

That is awful! I hate when things like that happen. Especially to a crop type plant rather than an ornamental one. Good luck getting rid of them- xo Diana

Terriea Kwong said...

So pity for the insects eating crops. Last harvest was missed. Hope you could get rid of the nasty. Thanks for your advice on my wool doll.

Fishtail Cottage said...

oh - i would be so frustrated! sorry to hear that this has happened to you - thanks for the tips and sharing over here at the Garden Party today! Wishing you lot's of luck! xoox, tracie

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...