Symptoms

• Large number of mealy bugs colonise the roots of the vine (Image1).
• As a result of sap sucking, the plant turns yellow, leaves and branches dry and drop.
• Many of the vines infested by root mealy bugs are also likely to be infected with Phytophthora and nematodes.

Control Measures

• Drench stems and roots with Chlorpyriphos 20 EC 3ml/L. Repeat drenching after 60 days if infestation persists. Adequate precaution has to be taken to ensure that the insecticide solution reaches the root zone of the vines.