Grape phylloxera

Grape phylloxera is not present in the ACT but is found in grapevines in parts of New South Wales and Victoria.

About the pest

Grape Phylloxera is a tiny yellow insect that attacks grapevines. It feeds on the roots, causing severe damage that can lead to the death of the vine. This pest is a serious threat to Australia’s grape and wine industries.

A plant pest is a disease-causing organism or insect that harms crops, forests, or native plants. Grape phylloxera first this definition and is considered one of the most damaging pests for grape production.

Why they are a problem

Grape phylloxera can:

• Spread easily through soil, clothing, tools, and vehicles
• kill grapevines within six years
• cause major losses for wine and table grape growers
• affect backyard grape and ornamental vines.

What to look for

Check grapevines for:

• Slow or stunted growth
• Early yellowing leaves
• Rotting roots or small lumps
• Galls on leaves
• symptoms spreading to nearby vines.

Description

• Adults
  • Small size (0.7–1.0mm)
  • Oval shaped
  • Soft bodies
  • Vary in colour from green to brown or orange.
• Nymphs
  • Resemble adults but are smaller.
• Eggs
  • A female can lay up to 400 eggs (less than 0.3mm) at a time
  • Newly deposited eggs are lemon-yellow, oval, and about twice as long as they are wide.
• Plant stage
  • Phylloxera insects both young and adult, attack grapevines while they are growing. Depending on the type of phylloxera, they can damage the leaves or roots causing lumps (called galls), slow growth, and eventually the death of the whole plant.

How it spreads

Grape phylloxera can go unnoticed with plants not showing symptoms right away. It can spread through:

• Infected grapevine material, fruit juice, or winemaking waste
• Soil, plant debris, or packing materials
• Equipment, vehicles, boots, and clothing that have been in contact with infested vines.

Because it spreads easily, strict hygiene and movement controls are essential.

Some strains of grape phylloxera are found in parts of Australia—in regions of Victoria and NSW. To protect Australia’s vineyards, ongoing efforts are needed to stop spreading to other regions.

Report sightings