Two years ago I began planting grape vines for fresh eating as well as to make wine.
Unfortunately, I already have a problem with Phylloxera bugs on a good number of my vines.
After a little research I found out that Fronteac which is a wine type grape is highly succeptible to this insect.
And that is exactly what I saw, my two Fronteac vines got hit very hard on their leaves with nearly every new leaf being attacked and appearing to have been shot with a machine gun, which I learned are galls that are formed by the insect succking on the leaves and well as laying eggs on the leaves.
This darn bug has 18 lifecyles, some which damage the leaves, and others which damage the roots.
The question is; What should I do???
My first thought is to pull out the two Fronteac grape vines and to plant more resistant varieties there.
Those with an american root seem to be more resistant, whereas those of European heritage are most susceptible.
I wish the nursery who sold me them would have given me some kind of a heads up, but that is the way it is these days with buying everything on line. We have to do all our own homework.
There really does not appear to be any spray that is effective, but one approach to fight them that i read about is using Surround clay to spray the new leaves.
So, I am thinking to rip out the susceptible varieties, and then to spray the others in the coming year with Surround to try to get on top of the situation.
I am in central Kentucky which does have humid summers, which is what these bugs seem to like.
Does anyone else have any experience or advice for me???
Thank for giving this some thought and consideration!
John in Kentucky