Bad News for Mealybugs: Growers and Researchers Take on Vine Mealybug at the Sustainable Ag Expo

Vine mealybug may be small, but managing it takes a big-picture approach. At the 2026 Sustainable Ag Expo, researchers and growers will come together for an afternoon exploring the latest science, biological control strategies, regional coordination, and real-world experience managing one of California vineyards’ most persistent pests.

The afternoon starts with a tri-tip lunch, followed by two hours dedicated to vine mealybug and the leafroll complex. From predators and parasitoids to coordinated programs and grower experience, the sessions look beyond a single treatment to explore how different management strategies can work together.

Start with Tri-Tip, Stay for the Mealybugs

From 12:00–1:00 PM, attendees can grab a provided tri-tip lunch, visit the trade show, and connect with fellow growers and industry professionals before settling in for an afternoon of pest management education.

Then at 1:00 PM, Dr. Monica Cooper of UCANR will present Biological Control and Coordinated Regional Programs for Vine Mealybug.

Natural enemies, including predators and parasitoids, are an important part of holistic vine mealybug management. Dr. Cooper will explore their role alongside coordinated regional efforts that support pest detection, early intervention, and suppression across vineyards.

The session is approved for 1 DPR - Other; 1 CCA - IPM.

Tri-tip lunch & session sponsored by Budbreak Innovations.

Then, Growers Join the Conversation

At 2:00 PM, the conversation expands from research to what vine mealybug and leafroll management looks like in the field.

Holistic Management of Vine Mealybug/Leafroll Complex brings together Erin Amaral of Pacific Coast Farming, Dr. Monica Cooper of UCANR, Dr. Kent Daane of UC Berkeley, and Emily Kuhn of UCANR and VineIQ for an hour focused on managing the interconnected challenges facing vineyards.

The discussion will bring research and grower experience together, giving attendees a chance to hear about management strategies, lessons from the field, and how different approaches can fit into a more holistic program.

Session sponsored by Pacific Biocontrol.

Research + Real-World Experience

The vine mealybug sessions are part of a broader Sustainable Ag Expo program designed to connect growers with research and practical strategies they can put to work. Across two days, attendees can explore pest and disease management, soil health, water, technology, labor, farm economics, and other issues shaping agriculture today.

The Sustainable Ag Expo will be held November 10–11, 2026, at the Madonna Expo Center in San Luis Obispo.

Learn more and register at SustainableAgExpo.org.

Two-day ticket holders also gain access to 11 online courses!

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