The purpose of this washington grape commodity survey is to monitor for key insect and disease pests identified by federal scientists and by state commodity groups as most likely to disrupt grape vine…

This Cooperative Agreement awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care Federal Grant Program (CFDA 10.025) provides $120,000 to the State of Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to conduct a grape commodity survey in Washington state.

The purpose of the survey is to monitor for three key invasive insect pests (Cryptoblabes gnidiella, Lobesia botrana, and Lycorma delicatula) and three plant pathogens (three Candidatus Phytoplasmas and Pseudopezicula tracheiphila) that could disrupt grape productivity and exports. WSDA will use trapping and visual survey methods to detect the presence or absence of these priority pests. The grant also supports monitoring for vine mealybug and Xylotrechus pyrroderus at the request of the Washington wine grape industry. The survey results will provide critical early detection data to enable rapid response and containment of any invasive pest introductions.

Activities

Trapping and visual survey strategies, as outlined by the national caps committee, will specifically capture, or detect three target insect pests (cryptoblabes gnidiella (millière, 1867), lobesia botrana (denis & schiffermüller, 1775), and lycorma delicatula (white, 1845)) listed as priority pests in 2025. The objective of this survey is to provide and confirm negative data indicating the clear absence of these organisms in WA state grape plantings. In addition, at the request of the WA state winegrape industry, wsda will perform visual surveys forthe presence of and signs of vine mealybug, planococcus ficus (BEN-DOV, 1994) and xylotrechus pyrroderus (bates, 1873) while performing visuals for L. Delicatula. In addition to the insect target pests, wsda trappers will survey vineyards for visual symptoms/signs of three candidatus phytoplasmas and pseudopezicula tracheiphila (müll.-thurg., 1903) which are listed by the national caps committee as priority pests in grapes for 2025. Any suspected grapevines will be investigated through screening of leaf samples through molecular assays following approved methods on the caps resource and collaboration site. Deliverables and expected outcomes: the cooperator seeks to conduct a program which is expected to result in: Q1: outline survey geography, acquire materials, hire personnel, and begin survey. Q2: continue field survey. Q3: provide suspect specimens to insect pest screening laboratory and disease screening laboratory for processing. Q4: compile and analyze results. Plan for any necessary follow-up action in subsequent fiscal year. Intended beneficiary(IES): farmers, shippers, grape exporters and producers. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a