Ken Anderson wrote:

> I'm having trouble re-finding info on the insect that lops off grape vine
> shoots. The one where he chews a ring around around it, then goes up the
> shoot a few more inches and cuts the whole damned thing off. And why does
> this critter do this? In any event, it's frustrating to see my 2nd year
> grafted viniferas receiving this setback.
> Ken
>
>
Ken,

Research the "Grape Cane Girdler" . You've described its modus operandi
to a tee. They cut two rings, a couple of inches apart, and lay eggs
inside the piece between, which eventually breaks off & falls to the
soil. They are said not to do any significant damage, as the cane
readily recovers, but I have seen where they cut off a cluster or two. I
don't spray for them, but I do break off the egg-carrying pieces and
remove them from the vineyard. Note that I have only 50 vines, not 50 acres!

--


Mike MTM, Cokesbury, New Jersey, USA