In 1982, when Hervé Durand and Charles-Henri de Coussergues planted the first vines, we found ourselves in an environment very rich in biodiversity, with a generous and highly diverse insect population. At that time, there was little documentation on viticulture in Quebec. To learn about this environment, our information came from guides from Ontario, New York State, and Europe.
Hervé Durand and Charles-Henri de Coussergues planted the first vines of the Vignoble de l'Orpailleur in 1982.
FIRST VITICULTURE RESEARCH PROJECT IN QUEBEC
In 1997, he met the late Victor Dietrich, Jacques Lasnier, Noubar Bostanian, and Charles Vincent. Shortly thereafter, the first formal viticulture research project in Quebec began. This project, in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ag-Cord Inc., the Dietrich-Jooss vineyard, and the Orpailleur vineyard, focused on the identification and behavior of insects in our vineyards.
QUICK POSITIVE RESULTS
We quickly saw positive results, leading to several research projects from 1997 to the present day, again with significant gains in productivity and environmental sustainability. Thanks to this sustained and long-standing collaboration, we do not use any insecticides on our grapes through our natural pest conservation program. For example, the conservation of the predatory mite Anystis baccarum ensures the natural control of leafhoppers, other pest mites, and the grapevine moth.
A mite that we call "useful", the predator Anystis baccarum
RECOGNITION BY RENOWNED RESEARCHERS IN BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
In 2018, our studies on biodiversity and the identification of natural enemies were recognized and cited in a book written by internationally renowned researchers on biological control, " Handbook of Pest Management in Organic Farming ".
“(...) Historically, viticultural studies have focused exclusively on arthropod pests; consequently, there is little knowledge about arthropod biodiversity in vineyards (...). A notable exception is the systematic biodiversity studies conducted in Quebec vineyards, where a high level of arthropod biodiversity has been inventoried. These studies demonstrate the abundance of natural enemies in these agroecosystems and their potential for biological pest control (Bostanian et al., 2012). Such information should prove useful for developing arthropod pest management strategies for vineyards that use few insecticides, such as those used in biological or biodynamic viticulture.” (1)
Studies
1997-2007 | "STUDY OF THE INVENTORY AND DYNAMICS OF INSECT PESTS OF VINES IN SOUTHWESTERN QUEBEC."
In order to build a pest control program based on good integrated pest management practices adapted to the climatic conditions of Quebec, this study was undertaken to determine the presence and abundance of pest arthropods and their natural enemies in two commercial vineyards in southern Quebec.
Collaborators: Noubar Bostanian, Charles Vincent Horticultural Research and Development Centre Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Jacques Lasnier Ag-Cord inc. (Co-Lab R&D), Vignoble de l'Orpailleur and Vignoble Dietrich-Jooss.
- 1997–2000, PHASE 1: Inventory and identify the arthropods present in the ecosystem of the two vineyards.
- 2001–2004, PHASE 2: Continuation of the study “Inventory and identify the arthropods present in the ecosystem of the two vineyards”. Five entomologists identified the inventoried fauna.
- 2005–2007, PHASE 3: Study of the impact of insect pests. Study of the population dynamics of beneficial insects and mites (natural enemies).
See the list of scientific advances made during the study.
A tarnished plant bug nymph. The adult lays its eggs on a flower stalk. Then, the eggs hatch and the nymphs feed on the flower buds after fruit set, causing the grapes to fall.
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2001-2007 | "STUDY OF THE INVENTORY AND DYNAMICS OF VINE DISEASES IN SOUTHWESTERN QUEBEC."
The two phases of these projects aimed to identify the main fungal diseases that ravage the vine under the climatic conditions prevailing in Quebec.
Collaborators: Odile Carisse Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Jacques Lasnier Ag-Cord inc. (Co-Lab R&D), Vignoble de l'Orpailleur and Vignoble Dietrich-Jooss.
- 2001-2004, PHASE 1: Inventory and identify fungal diseases that are pests of grapevines in southwestern Quebec.
- 2005-2007, PHASE 2: Studies of the dynamics of spore ejection and their spatial distribution of fungi that ravage vines; Erysiphe necator , Plasmopara viticola .
This study contributed to the creation of two guides:
- Guide to identifying the main diseases of the vine
- Sustainable management of major grapevine diseases in Quebec
A spore trap in our vineyards and grape berries severely damaged by white mold.
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2008-2010 | "STUDY OF THE DYNAMICS OF SYMPTOMATIC DISEASE CAUSED BY BOTRYTIS CINEREA (GREY ROT) OF VINES IN SOUTHWESTERN QUEBEC."
This study has allowed us to better understand the dynamics of Botrytis cinerea . This has provided us with a very important technological advance for the development of an effective and environmentally friendly strategy for suppressing the symptoms of grey rot in grapevines.
Collaborators: Jacques Lasnier Ag-Cord inc. (Co-Lab R&D), Vignoble de l'Orpailleur.
Grape berries affected by grey rot.
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2007-2010 | "IDENTIFY THE SYMPTOMS AND INVENTORY THE DISEASES OF VINE YELLOWING AND THE POTENTIAL RISKS OF ITS DEVELOPMENT ON 7 WINE VARIETIES IN SOUTHWESTERN QUEBEC."
2013-2015 | "STUDY OF THE PREVALENCE AND DIVERSITY OF PHYTOPLASMS AND THE POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION BY LEAFLEAGUES."
The first study aimed to identify and understand the life cycle of grapevine phytoplasmas and the development of diseases caused by these phytoplasmas in grapevines. The second study investigated their prevalence in Quebec vineyards and identified the insect vectors of phytoplasma diseases.
Collaborators: Christelle Olivier, Charles Vincent and Julien Saguez Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Jacques Lasnier Ag-Cord inc. (Co-Lab R&D), Vignoble de l'Orpailleur, University of Picardy Jules Verne Amiens in France.
See the list of scientific and technological advances made during the study.
A leafhopper, a piercing insect that empties the plant cells of the leaf, thus reducing photosynthesis, which is essential for the ripening of the grapes.
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2010-2012 | "STUDY OF THE DYNAMICS OF THE PREDATORY MITE ANYSTIS BACCARUM AND ITS IMPACT ON VINE PEST POPULATIONS IN SOUTHWESTERN QUEBEC."
Studying the life cycle of the predatory mite Anystis baccarum in order to protect and increase their population throughout the vineyard and to develop the augmentation-conservation concept . This has allowed these natural enemies to ensure the biological control of leafhoppers, harmful mites, and the grapevine moth.
Collaborators: Jacques Lasnier Ag-Cord inc. (Co-Lab R&D), Vignoble de l'Orpailleur.
Allothrombium sp. mite, a mite that is visible to the naked eye. It is a generalist predator that feeds on insect eggs and nymphs.
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Studies on invasive exotic insects
2013-2016 | "STUDY OF THE BIODYNAMICS OF DROSOPHILA SUZUKII POPULATIONS."
We identified, for the first time in Quebec vineyards , the presence of this fruit fly, an invasive exotic insect native to Asia. We studied its population dynamics in vineyards and the risks of damage to the fruit.
Contributors: Charles Vincent and Julien Saguez Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Jacques Lasnier Ag-Cord inc. (Co-Lab R&D), Vignoble de l'Orpailleur.
See the list of scientific advances made during the study.
A trap, in the vineyards, containing a solution of apple cider vinegar to attract and inventory fruit flies during the study.
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2017-2021 | STUDY OF THE DYNAMICS OF THE TACHINIDAE FLY ISTOCHELTA ALDRICHII, PARASITE OF THE JAPANESE BEETLE. PHASE 1"
To study the life cycle, dynamics, and population development of this Tachinidae fly, which naturally controls the Japanese beetle through parasitism. The Japanese beetle is an invasive exotic insect native to Asia.
Collaborators: Charles Vincent Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Jacques Lasnier Ag-Cord inc. (Co-Lab R&D), Vignoble de l'Orpailleur.
Research article published on May 20, 2025 (in English): Bulletin of Insectology, Abundance of Japanese beetle adults and its parasitoid Istocheta aldrichi in a Quebec commercial vineyard
For more information, see the blog post: Finally, a natural predator of the Japanese beetle!
Two Japanese beetles parasitized by the Tachinidae fly.
Several studies are currently underway. Follow us to stay updated!
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THE FRUITS OF OUR 25 YEARS OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WITH AG-CORD AND CHARLES VINCENT. Ag-cord inc. is an independent research institute incorporated since 1996. Jacques Lasnier is the sole shareholder – founder. Co-Lab R&D is the division of Ag-cord Inc. that conducts scientific research and experimental development. Their expertise lies in developing alternatives to pesticide use. The use of natural enemies, the development of biological control agents, and integrated pest management are their main areas of study. Charles Vincent worked from 1983 to August 2021 as an agricultural entomology researcher for the Horticultural Research and Development Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. In this capacity, he collaborated for 25 years with L'Orpailleur and Co-Lab R&D. He is currently a scientific consultant, specializing in writing educational texts on agriculture and producing podcasts related to agriculture and the environment.
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Footnote
(1) Vacante V. Kreiter S.. 2018. Handbook of Pest Management in Organic Farming. Chap. 7. Pest Management in Organic Grape Production. 177-217.
Useful links
Sustainable Arthropod Management in Quebec Vineyards , Charles Vincent and Jacques Lasnier, MDPI, Journals Agriculture Volume 10 Issue 4.
Biodiversity in a Cool-Climate Vineyard: A Case Study from Quebec , Charles Vincent, Jacques Lasnier, Charles-Henri de Coussergues and Alain Baril, MDPI, Journals Insects Volume 12 Issue 8.
