Insecticide treatments for control of grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifolii) infesting grapevines in Victoria, Australia

Carbofuran, oxamyl, aldicarb and fenamiphos treatments were tested for control of grape phylloxera [Daktulosphaira vitifolii (Fitch)] on ungrafted Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines in central Victoria. All insecticides were applied as granular formulations to the root zone of grapevines. Oxamyl was also tested as a foliar spray. Carbofuran was the most effective treatment, although aldicarb and oxamyl reduced phylloxera populations at some sampling periods. Fenamiphos did not control phylloxera. Vegetative growth, yield and root mass of infested grapevines declined during the 3 years of the experiment. In the third year, carbofuran- treated vines had significantly (P=0.05) greater fruit yield and more vegetative growth than control vines, but were performing poorly in relation to yields expected from uninfested vines. It is concluded that carbofuran treatment combined with optimum viticultural management may delay or reduce the decline of phylloxera infested grapevines. However, replanting with vines grafted to resistant rootstocks is a preferable long-term solution.