Development and adoption of new tools for the surveillance and management of grapevine phylloxera

Summary

Objective

Grapevine phylloxera is a significant global pest, currently confined to quarantine boundaries in Australia. Preventing its spread and supporting affected growers requires an integrated approach involving surveillance, diagnostics, disinfestation, resilient rootstocks, and knowledge of its ecology in the Australian context. This three-year project aims to deliver cutting-edge tools, technologies, and protocols to achieve these goals. It aims to deliver:

• A National Phylloxera Management Protocol (NPMP) which is updated with improved methods
• New validated quarantine disinfestation protocols for complex vineyard machinery
• New knowledge on susceptibility status of key commercial rootstocks to phylloxera strains and improved methods for screening resilient rootstocks
• New tools and spatial analytics for phylloxera surveillance and diagnostics at scale
• A revised National Diagnostics Protocol (NDP) for phylloxera that can distinguish key genotypes
• Advanced genomic research to better understand phylloxera ecology and biology within the Australian context, to support effective management strategies

In addition, the project will integrate research findings into practical extension resources and establish pathways for industry adoption. Findings from this and previous work will be provided to key biosecurity committees and relevant organisations, including the Phylloxera Project Management Team and the Sub-Committee on Plant Health Diagnostics, to ensure that biosecurity protocols for phylloxera adopted by federal and state agencies are underpinned by the latest research. An Industry Reference Group, led by Wine Australia, will oversee the project, review progress and provide strategic input.

Background

Grape phylloxera is a devastating pest of grapevines worldwide and continues to represent a major threat to Australia’s vineyards that are planted on own roots. Although currently restricted to quarantine areas of Victoria and New South Wales, phylloxera has been increasing its range, with new detections in recent years requiring revision of quarantine boundaries. Effective management is expensive and depends on comprehensive containment strategies.

Wine Australia and Agriculture Victoria have partnered on phylloxera research for over 20 years. The most recent projects (DED 1701 and DJP 2001) developed innovative solutions including LAMP diagnostics for efficient in-field detection, simulation models to support absence declarations, updated and validated disinfestation procedures, and new statistical models for zoning and rezoning. Additionally, the projects evaluated novel rootstocks for resistance against common phylloxera genotypes, characterised leaf-galling forms of phylloxera, and enhanced our understanding of dispersal risks during winter operations. A field survey identified potential phylloxera predators, providing insights for biological control. Together, these efforts advanced our knowledge of phylloxera genotypes and ecology, contributing to improved management practices. The new project will build on this and previous work to deliver rapid, accurate and scalable surveillance and diagnostics tools, nationally endorsed disinfestation protocols, phylloxera zoning and rezoning protocols and industry uptake of resistant rootstock cultivars. 

Sector benefits

This project aims to deliver significant and practical benefits to the grape and wine sector, building on the outcomes of both this initiative and previous phylloxera research conducted by Agriculture Victoria Research. Project outcomes will support growers managing phylloxera in infested vineyards and help protect pest-free regions, ensuring long-term sustainability of Australia’s grape and wine industry. Active collaboration with CSIRO, Victoria’s Biosecurity & Agricultural Services (BAS) team, Australian Grape and Wine and Vinehealth Australia will align the project with industry priorities, drive practical solutions, and ensure effective knowledge transfer to growers and biosecurity stakeholders.