Japanese Beetle Returns!

Part of the weekend's work was welcoming back an old nemesis in the vineyard, the Japanese Beetle.  Sadly the very first vine that I saw coming into the vineyard (the row 1, vine 1 Cayuga that is just coming back this summer) had 4 beetles feasting away on it!

Japanese Beetles on developing Cayuga Vines

I learned later that one of the toughest things in starting the vineyard was in controlling the beetle, where literally bags of captured beetles were filled.  Traps didn't seem to help, they only seemed to attract more.  This was back when the vineyard was just getting started.

Although I didn't see many on the other vines in my walkaround I did notice some leaves that were eaten away.  Liz also noticed them when she was out in about helping clean up the black rot.  Something we'll have to try and rid. 

More detailed info on Japanese beetles
http://www.canr.msu.edu/vanburen/japbet.htm