Influence of mealybug (Pseudococcus spp.)‐infested bunches on wine quality in Carmenere and Chardonnay grapes

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of processing grape with different proportions of mealybug-infested bunches in wine quality in cultivars Chardonnay and Carme´ne`re. No differences in chemical composition of musts were found. Basic chemical composition for white and red wines was similar. In both cultivars total polyphenols decreased as the proportion of infested bunches increased, from 266 to 239 (mg L )1 gallic acid) in Chardonnay and 2124 to 1820 in Carme´ne`re. The same trend was observed in Carme´ne`re for anthocyanins and tannins, by spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography. Dimethyl amino cinnamaldehyde index in Carme´ne`re went from 28.6 in wines 100% healthy bunches to 22.0 for the 100% infested, and tannin galoilation went from 3.85 to 0.74%. Sensory analysis showed that wines with larger proportion of infested grapes were associated with negative descriptors and lower quality. These results show that mealybugs have the potential of negatively impacting wine quality and this deserves further attention.

Influence of mating disruption on the reproductive biology of the vine mealybug,Planococcus ficus(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), under field conditions

“…It causes severe damage both directly by feeding and indirectly by excreting honeydew which promotes the growth of sooty mold on the canopy and clusters. Vine mealybug infestations greatly reduce the marketability of table grapes and the quality of wine grapes , . The pest also successfully transmits a number of viruses, including Grapevine virus A (GVA), grapevine leafroll‐associated viruses (GLRaVs) 1, 3, 4, 5, and 9, and corky bark disease, thus requiring control measures even at very low population densities , …”

“…Vine mealybug infestations greatly reduce the marketability of table grapes and the quality of wine grapes. 4,5 The pest also successfully transmits a number of viruses, including Grapevine virus A (GVA), grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaVs) 1, 3, 4, 5, and 9, and corky bark disease, thus requiring control measures even at very low population densities. 6,7 The vine mealybug density is influenced by vineyard cultural practices, such as irrigation, nitrogen fertilization and soil management, 8,9 which affect its population growth potential by modifying survival, fecundity and fertility, and can lead to pest outbreaks.…”

A survey of mealybugs infesting South-Brazilian wine vineyards

“…They may also reduce the marketability of table grapes because of the excretion of honeydew, which covers the leaves and clusters, and serves as a substrate for sooty molt growing (Cox, 1989;Godfrey et al, 2006;Bordeu et al, 2012;Daane et al, 2012). In addition, mealybugs are important vectors of viruses, such as the grapevine leafroll-associated Virus GLRaV (Closteroviridae), which is primarily transmitted in a semi-persistent way by different mealybug species (Naidu et al, 2014).…”

Development and longevity of Citrus mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813) (Insecta: Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) associated with grapevine

“…According to the literature, among the pests associated with grapevine, mealybugs stand out for causing frequent crop damage, since they limit the quality and yield of fruits (Daane et al, 2008;Bertin et al, 2010;Formolo et al, 2011;Ghini et al, 2011;Bordeu et al, 2012).…”

“…In this sense, each species has its own biological features, it being necessary initially to know them in order to deploy control and integrated pest management programs (Daane et al, 2008;Mahfoudhi and Dhouibi, 2009;Cid et al, 2010;Bordeu et al, 2012). Among the species that stand out in Brazil is Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813), which is most abundant in the vineyards of the region Serra Gaúcha, Rio Grande do Sul (Morandi Filho et al, 2008).…”