A5102710048- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Horticultural and Viticultural Research
- Plant and Fungal Interactions Research
- Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Research on scale insects
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Fermentation and Sensory Analysis
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Fungal Plant Pathogen Control
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Remote Sensing in Agriculture
- Agriculture and Farm Safety
- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Powdery Mildew Fungal Diseases
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Workplace Health and Well-being
- Wine Industry and Tourism
- Spectroscopy and Chemometric Analyses
- Yeasts and Rust Fungi Studies
University of California, Davis
2025
Napa Valley College
2013-2024
University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
2013-2023
University of California System
2023
University of California, Berkeley
2005-2021
Kalamazoo College
2017
Abstract 1. The Argentine ant, Linepithema humile , tends honeydew‐excreting homopterans and can disrupt the activity of their natural enemies. This mutualism is often cited for increases in homopteran densities; however, ant’s impact on enemies may be only one several effects ant tending that alters insect densities. To test variable impacts ants, mealybug enemy densities were monitored ant‐tended ant‐excluded vines two California vineyard regions. 2. Ant increased obscure mealybug,...
REVIEW article Front. Microbiol., 24 April 2013Sec. Virology Volume 4 - 2013 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2013.00094
The epidemiological relationship between arthropod dispersal and plant communities is poorly understood at the landscape level. We investigated connectivity of natural cultivated plants in vineyard ecosystems for red blotch disease dynamics by characterizing dietary history Spissistilus festinus, a treehopper vector grapevine virus (GRBV). Molecular analysis gut content 205 S. festinus caught 71 sites flora proximal to vineyards Napa Valley, California, USA revealed total 171 genera from 61...
Despite the high likelihood of infection and substantial yield losses from trunk diseases, many California practitioners wait to adopt field-tested, preventative practices (delayed pruning, double application pruning-wound protectants) until after disease symptoms appear in vineyard at around 10 years old. We evaluate net benefits adoption these before young Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards they become apparent mature identify economic hurdles early adoption. simulate winegrape production select...
The polyphagous European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana (Den. & Schiff.) is the principal native pest of grape berries in Palearctic region. It was found Napa County, California, 2009, and it has subsequently been recorded an additional nine counties, despite ongoing eradication programme. present study aimed to assess prospectively its potential geographical distribution relative abundance California continental U.S.A. A subsidiary goal provide explanation for timing control measures....
Grapevine leafroll disease (GLRD) is a devastating viral found across all grapegrowing regions. Vineyard managers have adopted various strategies for managing GLRD, including roguing individual symptomatic vines and replacing them with certified derived from clean, virus-tested stocks; applying insecticides targeting mealybug vector populations to reduce spread minimize long-term impacts; fully replanting vineyards at the onset of symptoms. Moreover, some elect not control GLRD all. We...
Grapevine red blotch disease (GRBD) is a recently-recognized viral found across some of the major grapegrowing regions in United States. Vineyard managers were surveyed to (i) estimate economic impact GRBD on <i>Vitis vinifera</i> cv. Cabernet Sauvignon Napa and Sonoma Counties California <i>V. Merlot eastern Washington Long Island New York, (ii) identify cost-minimizing management strategies under various incidence rates, price penalties for suboptimal fruit composition, timing onset...
Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) is suspected to alter berry ripening and chemistry. This study performed a physiological characterization of GRBV infected grapevines with attention the factors leading chemical changes during Cabernet Sauvignon in two rootstocks, 110R 420A. RB(+) had transiently lower net photosynthesis; however, total soluble solids (TSS) accumulation was consistently reduced years study. Accumulation anthocyanins loss titratable acidity proanthocyanins were also delayed...
Introduction Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaVs) and grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) cause substantial economic losses concern to North America’s grape wine industries. Fast accurate identification of these two groups is key informing disease management strategies limiting their spread by insect vectors in the vineyard. Hyperspectral imaging offers new opportunities for scouting. Methods Here we used machine learning methods, i.e., Random Forest (RF) 3D-Convolutional Neural...
Mealybugs have become increasingly important vineyard pests — a result of their direct damage to the vine, role in transmitting grapevine leafroll viruses, and costs for control. Numerous mealybug species are found vineyards, each has different biological traits that affect sustainable control options. We review natural enemies provide some clarification about current trends tactics needed directions future work.
Grapevine leafroll disease (GLD) is caused by a complex of several virus species (grapevine leafroll-associated viruses, GLRaV) in the family Closteroviridae. Because its increasing importance, it critical to determine which GLRaV predominant each region where this occurring. A structured sampling design, utilizing combination RT-PCR based testing and sequencing methods, was used survey GLRaVs Napa Valley (California, USA) vineyards (n = 36). Of 216 samples tested for GLRaV-1, -2, -3, -4,...
Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is the most widely prevalent and economically important of complex RNA viruses associated with grapevine leafroll disease (GLD). Phylogenetic studies have grouped GLRaV-3 isolates into nine different monophyletic groups four supergroups, making a genetically highly diverse species. In addition, new divergent variants been discovered recently around world. Accurate identification an essential component in management control GLRaV-3; however,...
The timely detection of viral pathogens in vineyards is a critical aspect management. Diagnostic methods can be labor-intensive and may require specialized training or facilities. emergence artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to provide innovative solutions for disease but requires significant volume high-quality data as input. With that purpose, we partnered with wine grape growers collect robust dataset verified images. We used those images train an AI model develop handheld...
California farmworkers experience lower health outcomes and underutilize services compared with the general population, impacting their well-being farm productivity. Employer sponsored insurance facilitates access to represents one method for improving farmworker outcomes, but more knowledge is needed promote employee uptake utilization. From 2021 2023, we surveyed 497 vineyard workers in Napa County on views of insurance. Offering has a large impact benefits satisfaction. However,...
A simple molecular tool was developed and tested to identify seven mealybug species found in North American vineyards: Pseudococcus maritimus Ehrhorn, viburni (Signoret), longispinus (Targioni-Tozzeti), calceolariae (Maskell), Planococcus ficus citri (Risso), Ferrisia gilli Gullan. The multiplex PCR is based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit one gene. In tests, this single-step correctly identified 95 of samples, representing all collected from diverse geographic regions. To...
Grapevine red blotch disease (GRBD) is a recently recognized viral that affects grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.). Currently little known about its impact on grape composition. This study focused the of GRBD primary and secondary metabolites (mainly phenolic compounds) three Vitis L. cultivars during two seasons. Grapes from symptomatic diseased vines (RB (+)) mostly had lower concentration total soluble solids (TSS) higher titratable acidity (TA) levels when compared to grapes healthy (−)) at...
The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), is a vector of the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa; however, its role in recent outbreaks Pierce's disease grapevine (PD) California unclear. While phenology and ecology P. can help determine contributions to PD epidemics, both remain poorly described North Coast vineyards California. We assessed region. Spittlemasses were first observed February or March, while emergence adult spittlebugs did not occur until...
Liquid ant baits are an alternative to broad-spectrum insecticide sprays conventionally used control Argentine ants. We review the development of liquid baits, which capitalize on ants' sugar-feeding requirements and social structure deliver small doses toxicant throughout colony. The bait program described here, developed for commercial vineyards, also has potential facilitate use biological controls mealybug scale pests. implementation will enable grape growers target other pests more...
The first detection of the European grapevine moth in North America triggered establishment federal and state regulatory programs that (1) identified insect's geographic range California, (2) developed implemented management programs, (3) regulated movement plant material equipment to minimize threat dispersal, (4) incorporated research-based information by subject-matter experts into policy decisions (5) promoted a wide-reaching educational program for grape growers, public local officials....