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In recent years, the cultivation of grapes has become increasingly popular among gardeners. However, growing vines and getting a harvest from them is not as easy as it seems at first glance. They can be destroyed not only by errors in agricultural technology, but also by pathogenic microflora, pest attacks. One of the most common problems is aphids on grapes. It is quite possible to cope with it if you know the characteristic signs of infection.
What is dangerous aphid
The main danger of aphids for grapes is their abundance and voracity. Pests attack the vines massively, practically sticking around the plant. They especially “like” the tops of the shoots, young leaves, buds and fruit ovaries.
Pests suck the juice out of the plant, depriving it of essential nutrients. They “inject” an enzyme into the tissue, which “inhibits” photosynthesis and other natural processes. It gradually accumulates, depressing effect on the grapes. The immunity of the vine worsens, the risk of infection with fungal diseases increases. If nothing is done, the grapes wither, the yield is greatly reduced. As a result, the plant dies.
Provided with a “food source”, the aphid begins to multiply actively, the number of individuals on the grapes increases rapidly
Description and photo of aphids
The “appearance” of aphids depends on the species. Grapes are attacked by several varieties of aphids.
Root (phylloxera)
These insects go “outside” extremely rarely, they feed on juice sucked from the roots of grapes. Coloring is yellowish-beige or dark brown, with symmetrical black-brown dots on the back.
Root aphids reproduce very actively, one female lays up to 800 eggs per day
Winged (gallic)
Attacks the aerial part of the plant, feeding on the juice of shoots, leaves, flowers, fruits. The outer chitinous shells are bright, orange-red, the main color is greenish-yellow or beige. In females, rudiments of wings are noticeable on the sides of the body. Aphid larvae hatching from eggs laid by females gradually “go down” down to the roots of grapes.
Adult individuals who have survived 3-4 molts “gain” wings, actively move, hitting neighboring vines and other plants in the garden
Sexual
All individuals are wingless, the color is light green or almost transparent. Their life span is only eight days, during which time the female manages to lay a single egg that can successfully overwinter under the bark.
Sexual aphid settles under the bark of a plant
Any aphid is a very small insect (maximum 1-1,5 mm in length). Her body is ovoid, with three pairs of limbs and a “proboscis”. The period of activity practically coincides with the growing season for most plants – from mid-May to early November.
Causes
Most often, aphids attack grapes because the gardener neglects preventive measures to prevent pest attacks. Also increase the chances of its attack on the vines non-compliance with the planting scheme, choosing a place for the vineyard without taking into account the most important criteria for the plant (quality and composition of the substrate, illumination). Another risk factor is the neglect of grape care, gross errors in agricultural technology.
Aphids are an extremely “omnivorous” insect. It affects the vast majority of horticultural crops. Therefore, it can be argued that, having appeared on the site, sooner or later she will “get” to the grapes.
Signs of infection
Not to notice aphids on grapes is quite difficult. There are a lot of people playing against it.
“Secondary” symptoms:
- sticky sweetish bloom on the surface of the leaves;
- numerous areas of tissue, discolored almost to transparency;
- the surface of the sheet plates, covered with spherical “growths”;
- twisted, deformed leaves, buds, fruit ovaries, shoots.
In severe cases, if the gardener does not pay attention to the aphids on the grapes, the leaves, flowers and buds dry out and fall off en masse, the formation and ripening of the fruit stops. Young shoots also dry and die. The bush is affected by a variety of fungal diseases.
The main sign of the appearance of aphids on grapes is “galls” on the leaves containing clutches of eggs.
How it spreads
Aphids can spread both passively and actively. In the first case, it can get on the grapes in the following ways:
- Planting seedlings already infected with the pest.
- Transportation with the help of the wind.
- “Help” gardener. Aphids can be in the ground, on agricultural implements and tools, work gloves and clothing.
- “Placement” by ants. They specifically transfer her eggs to the most “juicy” and “tasty” plants.
- Transfer by streams of water (when watering, during rain). Water can “knock” aphids to the ground, where they die, but sometimes insects “move” to neighboring plants in this way.
For ants, aphids are a kind of “dairy animals”: they feed on the sweetish honeydew that it leaves on the leaves.
Adult winged individuals independently “migrate” between plants. The aphid that lives underground moves much more slowly, but it is also able to “crawl” from one root system to another.
How to get rid of aphids on grapes
The range of means for combating aphids on grapes is very wide. For prevention and in the early stages of the development of the disease, folk remedies or preparations of biological origin are used. When insects have already bred in abundance, only insecticide chemicals will help.
In addition, we must not forget about the safety for human health, pets, and the environment. Many drugs against aphids negatively affect the quality of grapes – chemicals accumulate in the berries. Therefore, they can only be used during certain periods of vine development. One of the main taboos is to spray grapes with insecticides during flowering.
Insecticides destroy adults, less often larvae, but they are useless against eggs, so several treatments are required.
Chemicals
The chemicals “poison” the vines, making them inedible for aphids. Feeding on the juice of such plants, pests die almost instantly. The effect of the treatment lasts up to 20 days.
fastak
Synthetic universal insecticide of contact-gastric action. It is valued by gardeners for its economy, resistance to precipitation, and safety for insects pollinating grapes.
Fastak against aphids can be used “in combination” with other insecticides and fungicides
Phosalon
Contact-intestinal insecticide. Begins to act instantly, retains the effect for at least 20 days. Its effectiveness is not affected by rain and lower temperatures.
Fozalon against aphids is easily “identified” by its characteristic garlic smell
Kinmix
A nerve agent that destroys various types and forms (adults, larvae) of aphids on grapes. To completely cope with the pest, 1-2 treatments are enough.
The manufacturer declares the possibility of using Kinmiks from aphids during the entire period of active vegetation of grapes
Aktellik
One of the most effective, but at the same time very toxic for humans, animals, birds, and other insects, an insecticide of contact-intestinal and systemic action. When working with it, the use of personal protective equipment for the eyes and respiratory organs is mandatory. You also need to wear gloves and closed clothing, shoes that prevent the solution from getting on the skin.
The use of Aktellik eliminates the re-attack of aphids on treated grape vines this season
Biological agents
Biological products can treat grapes from aphids even during flowering and ripening of berries. But they give the desired effect 5-10 days after treatment, it lasts a maximum of two weeks.
Phytoverm
Effective against aphids, thrips and spider mites. The result provides a natural neurotoxin. It enters the body of aphids through the skin or intestines, therefore it affects only adults.
Grapes can be eaten 48 hours after treatment with Fitoverm from aphids
Iskra-Bio
Suitable for aphid control not only on grapes, but also on any other plants in the garden. The “peak” of the effect is noted 3-5 days after spraying, grapes can be eaten after 2-3 days.
Iskra-Bio works with biopesticides that paralyze aphids
Biotlin
The active substance against aphids is bitoxibacillin. The drug is quickly absorbed by the tissues, the pests die after three days. The effect of the treatment lasts for 20 days (if it is dry outside and the temperature does not rise above 30 ° C).
Ten days later, be sure to re-spray with Biotlin against aphids.
Another biological method of pest control on grapes involves the “help” of entomophages. Predatory insects – natural enemies of aphids – destroy adults, larvae, and egg laying.
Useful in the fight against aphids on grapes are insectivorous birds – warblers, kinglets, tits, robins. They are attracted to the site by installing “houses”, drinkers, feeders. But there is always a risk that the birds will “switch” to the grower’s crop.
Processing grapes from aphids with folk remedies
Experienced gardeners to combat aphids on grapes suggest using:
- Laundry or green potash soap. Approximately 50 g of chips are whipped into foam, diluted in 10 liters of water. Soap in small quantities can be added to other solutions so that they “stick” to the grapes better.
- Tomato or potato tops. Fresh “raw materials” (500-600 g) are crushed, boiled in 10 liters of water over minimal heat for about an hour. The finished liquid is filtered, diluted with water 1: 1. Similarly, you can use the greens of any plants with a pungent odor (wormwood, tansy, marigolds, celandine).
- Wood ash. To combat aphids on grapes, it can be used in a “dry form”, sprinkling the soil and dusting the plants. Ground pepper, tobacco chips can be added to the ashes. An infusion is also prepared by pouring ash (0,5 l) with boiling water (3 l) and insisting for 3-4 hours.
- Onion or garlic “arrows” (heads will do). Approximately 150 g of greens are finely chopped, poured with a liter of water, insisted for 5-7 days. Then filter, pour the liquid into a bucket (10 l) of water.
- Table (9%) vinegar. Working solution – 200 ml of vinegar per 10 liters of water. You can use ammonia – 10 ml per 10 liters.
The effectiveness of most folk remedies is due to the fact that aphids are repelled by pungent odors.
Folk remedies are absolutely safe for human health and the environment, they are suitable for processing grapes from aphids in summer. However, they give a short-term effect (maximum for 7-10 days, more often before the first rain).
Mechanical methods
The simplest mechanical method of dealing with aphids on grapes is to “knock” it down to the ground with water jets. It is necessary to douse the vines with water from a hose, providing a sufficiently strong pressure. Once on the ground, the aphid can no longer “climb” back, it quickly becomes the prey of natural enemies – insects and birds.
It is necessary to pour over the bushes every 2-3 days, until the pest disappears completely.
An “auxiliary” method of dealing with aphids on grapes is pruning. It is necessary to immediately remove all parts of the vine (leaves, shoots, flowers) on which pests are noticed. Since the aphid attacks the vines en masse, literally sticking around them, it is impossible to collect it manually.
Prevention
It is easier to prevent an aphid attack on grapes than to deal with the consequences of infection later. To minimize the risk of insect attack on the vines, simple preventive measures will help:
- Planting grapes in a suitable substrate for it is sandy. If the soil is not light enough and loose, the immunity of the vines suffers, in this state they are more susceptible to attack by pests, including aphids.
- Regular (at least once every 5-7 days) thorough inspection of the vines. It allows you to detect aphids on grapes immediately after its appearance, and not when the insect has already bred en masse.
- Immediate pruning of parts of the vine affected by aphids. The resulting plant debris cannot be stored, it is burned as soon as possible.
- Annual digging or deep loosening of the soil under the grapes at the end of the growing season. Previously, the beds are cleaned of plant debris (fallen leaves, rotten berries, broken branches). Thus, the gardener destroys places suitable for overwintering eggs and larvae of the pest. Also, as part of the processing of grapes from aphids in spring and late autumn, the soil is shed with hot water, sprinkled with wood ash.
- Planting spicy herbs or ornamental plants with a pungent odor next to the grapes (mint, lemon balm, lavender, sage, wormwood, marigolds). Aphids do not like such “flavors”, they are quite effective in repelling insects from vines.
- Ants fight. They live in stable symbiosis with aphids. If there are anthills near the grapes, the pest will almost certainly start on the vines.
- Pre-planting treatment of the roots of grape seedlings. They are soaked for 15-20 minutes in a solution of any insecticide suitable for controlling aphids.
Competent grape farming is a “universal” preventive measure that reduces the risk of infections and aphid attacks
Conclusion
Aphids on grapes are a danger to vines, primarily by breeding activity and voracity. Pest control should begin immediately after suspicious symptoms are detected. For this, there are “heavy” chemicals, and “sparing” biological products, and folk remedies. We must not forget about simple preventive measures to help prevent aphid attacks.
