What does phylloxera look like?
Phylloxera is a yellow aphid-like insect. The main lifestages are the adult, crawler and egg (see picture). Phylloxera feeds exclusively on grapevine roots. In susceptible Vitis vinifera species, the feeding causes galls to form on the roots. The insects live on the surface of the root galls (see picture). How is phylloxera spread? The phylloxera pest can be spread a number of different ways. The most common are via: • Grapevine materials • Soil • Whole grapes • Machinery and vehicles • People • Grape products such as must and juice The first instar ‘crawler’ stage is the most common form in which phylloxera spreads; in soil (either deliberately moved or accidentally transported on plants, shoes, vehicles), on roots of transplanted rootlings, on cuttings, by wind dispersal and by being carried on leaves, stems or fruit by machinery, grape bins, vehicles and clothing. Natural spread within a vineyard is only around 200m per year, whereas accidental human-assisted spread can be up to sev
