Q. Although I was able to control the grape leaf skeletonizer
all summer, I came back from a three week trip with 99% of the leaves stripped
and dried up. The grapes were picked in August
and September. Should I still treat the vines with BT or just forget it since
it is October and the leaves
all summer, I came back from a three week trip with 99% of the leaves stripped
and dried up. The grapes were picked in August
and September. Should I still treat the vines with BT or just forget it since
it is October and the leaves
would have soon turned brown anyway?
 |
| Skeletonizer feeding on the bottom side of grape leaves. |
A. I would just let it go at this point. The only thing I
worry about a little bit is regrowth (new leaves produced) because the
temperatures are still warm. Regrowth will drain stored food reserves from
inside the plant.
worry about a little bit is regrowth (new leaves produced) because the
temperatures are still warm. Regrowth will drain stored food reserves from
inside the plant.
These
reserves are used for next year’s production but there should be plenty of
“food” left even if it regrows this fall. I would not worry about it if that
happens.
reserves are used for next year’s production but there should be plenty of
“food” left even if it regrows this fall. I would not worry about it if that
happens.
Make
sure you cleanup the leaves at the base of the plants. This is where the pupal
stage (cocoon) will overwinter and if you do not cleanup this debris the attack
on the plants next year will be earlier and more intense. The adults are winged
moths so they will move from neighbor’s vines to neighbor’s vines.
sure you cleanup the leaves at the base of the plants. This is where the pupal
stage (cocoon) will overwinter and if you do not cleanup this debris the attack
on the plants next year will be earlier and more intense. The adults are winged
moths so they will move from neighbor’s vines to neighbor’s vines.