Pest identification
What's eating my muscat of alexandria grape?
Glasshouse red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Pale yellow stippling on leaves turning bronzed; fine webbing on undersides; plants grown under glass suffer severe infestations in warm dry conditions
Control: Introduce predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis as biological control; maintain high humidity; avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides that kill predators
Vine mealybug / glasshouse mealybug (Planococcus ficus / Pseudococcus viburni)
Signs: White cottony clusters at leaf axils and under bark; honeydew and sooty mould coat bunches; virus transmission under glass
Control: Introduce Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (mealybug destroyer) ladybird under glass; use a soft brush and methylated spirits on accessible colonies; dormant oil spray outdoors
Wasps (Vespula spp.) and hornets
Signs: Ripe berries are excavated leaving hollow skins; once one berry is broached, wasps congregate and damage spreads rapidly through a bunch
Control: Enclose bunches in fine muslin or perforated bags from veraison; set wasp traps away from the vine to draw them off; harvest promptly
Birds
Signs: Ripe, aromatic muscat clusters targeted by blackbirds, starlings, and thrushes; damage often combines with wasp entry holes
Control: Bird netting over the canopy or individual bunch bags; for glasshouse vines ensure vents and doors are meshed
Keep muscat of alexandria grape pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats vitis vinifera — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common muscat of alexandria grape problems & fixes
- Muscat of Alexandria Grape watering schedule
- Muscat of Alexandria Grape light requirements
- Full muscat of alexandria grape care guide
Muscat of Alexandria Grape pests — FAQ
What is eating my muscat of alexandria grape?
Muscat of Alexandria, a Mediterranean variety grown under glass in the UK and outdoors in warm climates, is most troubled by vine weevil under glass, red spider mite in glasshouses, and mealy bug. Outdoors in warm regions, grape berry moth and birds are significant. Its aromatic fruit draws wasps and hornets aggressively at harvest.
How do I get rid of glasshouse red spider mite (tetranychus urticae) on muscat of alexandria grape?
Pale yellow stippling on leaves turning bronzed; fine webbing on undersides; plants grown under glass suffer severe infestations in warm dry conditions Introduce predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis as biological control; maintain high humidity; avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides that kill predators
How do I get rid of vine mealybug / glasshouse mealybug (planococcus ficus / pseudococcus viburni) on muscat of alexandria grape?
White cottony clusters at leaf axils and under bark; honeydew and sooty mould coat bunches; virus transmission under glass Introduce Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (mealybug destroyer) ladybird under glass; use a soft brush and methylated spirits on accessible colonies; dormant oil spray outdoors
How do I get rid of wasps (vespula spp.) and hornets on muscat of alexandria grape?
Ripe berries are excavated leaving hollow skins; once one berry is broached, wasps congregate and damage spreads rapidly through a bunch Enclose bunches in fine muslin or perforated bags from veraison; set wasp traps away from the vine to draw them off; harvest promptly
How do I get rid of birds on muscat of alexandria grape?
Ripe, aromatic muscat clusters targeted by blackbirds, starlings, and thrushes; damage often combines with wasp entry holes Bird netting over the canopy or individual bunch bags; for glasshouse vines ensure vents and doors are meshed