How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

Hoplia beetles are robust beetles that measure 0.25 to 0.3 inches long. The dorsum of the adult beetles is reddish brown and their heads are darker. The underside of the body is silvery and shiny. The whitish larvae are found in the ground and are C-shaped with a bulbous posterior. Adults emerge from the soil in spring and fly to vineyards to feed and mate.

DAMAGE

Feeding damage is usually sporadic within the vineyard but may recur annually in the same area. Plant injury usually occurs when shoots are 12 to 14 inches long and consists of feeding on developing fruit clusters and leaves.

MANAGEMENT

Damage by hoplia beetles occurs so seldom that in most cases spot treatments applied where damage is observed are sufficient. Spring treatments applied for other pests probably suppress most hoplia infestations that do occur. Few products are registered specifically for this use.

Common name		Amount/Acre**	P.H.I.+
(trade name)			(days)
The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on natural enemies and honey bees. When choosing a pesticide, also consider information relating to environmental impact.
A.	PHOSMET
	(Imidan) 70W	1–2.12 lb	7-14
	MODE OF ACTION: An organophosphate (Group 1B)1 insecticide.
	COMMENTS: Restricted entry interval: 5 days.
B.	CARBARYL*
	(Sevin) 80S	2.5 lb	7
	MODE OF ACTION: A carbamate (Group 1A)1 insecticide.
	COMMENTS: Restricted entry interval: 12 hours. Extremely toxic to honey bees and may cause mite outbreaks. Do not use where mites are a chronic problem.
	**  Apply with enough water to provide complete coverage. + Preharvest interval. Do not apply within this many days of harvest. * Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use. 1 Modes of action are important in preventing the development of resistance to pesticides. Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action Group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action Group number more than twice per season. For example, the organophosphates have a Group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B Group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a Group number other than 1B. Mode of action is assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Grape
UC ANR Publication 3448
Insects and Mites
W. J. Bentley, UC IPM Program, Kearney Agricultural Research Center, Parlier
L. G. Varela, UC IPM Program, Sonoma County
F. G. Zalom, Entomology, UC Davis
R. J. Smith, UC Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County
A. H. Purcell, Environmental Science, Policy and Management, UC Berkeley
P. A. Phillips, UC IPM Program, Ventura County
D. R. Haviland, UC IPM Program, Kern County
K. M. Daane, Kearney Agricultural Research Center, Parlier
M. C. Battany, UC Cooperative Extension, San Luis Obispo County
Acknowledgment for contributions to the insects and mites section:
J. Granett, Entomology, UC Davis

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