Phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) is a small yellowish ‘aphid-like’ insect native to North America. It causes extensive damage to vines of European parentage (Vitis vinifera) and is considered one of the world’s worst grapevine pests. Its presence on the roots of Vitis vinifera results in the vine’s decline, yield reduction and eventual death after several years of infestation. Once the pest is established in a vineyard, the only control option is to replant Vitis vinifera vines grafted to tolerant or resistant rootstocks. Phylloxera is currently confined to selected areas of Victoria and NSW. As vine plantings in Australia are predominantly own-rooted Vitis vinifera, they are highly susceptible to phylloxera and preventing its movement to currently uninfected areas is therefore of utmost importance. There are strict biosecurity control measures in place to prevent spread to other wine regions, with areas classified as Phylloxera Infested Zones (PIZ), Phylloxera Interim Buffer Zones (PIBZ), Phylloxera Risk Zones (PRZ) and Phylloxera Exclusion Zones (PEZ).
A range of resources on phylloxera in vineyards are provided below.
New findings and implications of latest phylloxera research (AWRI webinar 18 November 2021)
Actions for industry to take in response to recently published phylloxera research (Vinehealth Australia Industry Notice)
Vinehealth Australia. 2021. New phylloxera research: actions for industry. Aust. N.Z. Grapegrower Winemaker (694): 28.31.
About grape phylloxera (Vinehealth Australia fact sheet)
Vinehealth Australia’s resources on grape phylloxera
Wine Australia’s resources on grapevine planting material
Grapevine rootstock selector tool
Integrated management of established grapevine phylloxera (Wine Australia project September 2021)
Integrated pest management for changing viticultural environments (Research to Practice® workshop)
Phylloxera management zones in Australia (Vinehealth Australia maps and interactive tools)
Phylloxera strains distribution map (Vinehealth Australia fact sheet)