VIN 125 - Pest Identification

Credits: 2
Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 0
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Voc/Tech

This course is an introduction to the identification of vineyard pests, the factors that affect successful infections and methods of vineyard scouting. This course will help prepare students to take the test for a commercial pesticide applicator’s license. Prior to taking this course, students should have a basic understanding of vineyard establishment and the management of mature vineyards.
Competencies

Explain the importance and history of vineyard pest management
1. Relate impact on vine health
2. Examine effects on fruit quality
3. Discuss the introduction of pests to regions and their effects
4. Evaluate the role of the disease triangle: host, pathogen and environment
Identify major and minor vineyard pests
1. Identify vineyard fungal pathogens
2. Identify vineyard bacterial pathogens
3. Identify vineyard insects and mites
4. Identify vineyard birds and mammals
5. Identify vineyard weeds
Identify plant symptoms of major vineyard pests
1. Correlate symptoms to fungal pathogens
2. Correlate symptoms to bacterial pathogens
3. Correlate symptoms to insects and mites
4. Correlate symptoms to birds and mammals
Describe environmental conditions that favor pest development
1. Understand impact of temperature
2. Identify effects of precipitation
3. Correlate both to grapevine growth stage
4. Evaluate the impact that the cultivar, the previous growing season and vineyard location has on disease development
Explain methods for vineyard pest scouting
1. Identify areas for potential pest infestation
2. Explain how to set up a proper scouting procedure
3. Demonstrate proper record keeping for pest scouting
Determine economic threshold of pests needed for treatment
1. Calculate cost of damage
2. Estimate cost of application