Growli

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

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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