Biodiversity studies

In 1982, when Hervé Durand and Charles-Henri de Coussergues planted the first vines, we found ourselves in an environment with rich biodiversity and a generous, diverse insect population. At that time, there were few documents concerning viticulture in Quebec. To understand this environment, our information came from guides from Ontario, New York State, and Europe.

First viticulture research project in Quebec

In 1997, Charles-Henri met, with 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.

Photo: adult tarnished plant bug on a forming cluster, feeding on flower buds.

Quick positive feedback

Several research projects followed from 1997 to the present day, once again with appreciable gains in productivity and environmental sustainability.

Thanks to this sustained and long-standing collaboration, we do not apply any insecticides to our grapes thanks to our natural enemy conservation program. For example, the conservation of the predatory mite Anystis baccarum ensures the natural repression of grape leafhoppers, pest mites, and grape berry moths.

Photo: a "beneficial" mite, the predator Anystis baccarum.

Recognition by renowned researchers in biological control

In 2018, our studies were recognized and cited in a book by internationally renowned researchers on biological control, "Handbook of Pest Management in Organic Farming."

"Historically, viticultural studies exclusively target arthropod pests, consequently there is little knowledge on arthropod biodiversity in vineyards. A notable exception concerns studies on biodiversity systematically conducted in Quebec vineyards where a high diversity of arthropods 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)." (1)

Studies

1997-2007

Inventory and dynamics of grapevine insect pests in southwestern Quebec

Determine the presence and abundance of pest arthropods and their natural enemies in two commercial vineyards to build a pest management program adapted to Quebec's climatic conditions.

Collaborators: Noubar Bostanian, Charles Vincent Horticulture 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 arthropods present in vineyard ecosystems.
  • 2001–2004, Phase 2: Continuation of the study, five entomologists identified the inventoried fauna.
  • 2005–2007, Phase 3: Study of the impact of insect pests and the population dynamics of beneficial insects and mites (natural enemies).

Photo: Tarnished plant bug nymph. The adult lays eggs on a flower stalk; the eggs hatch and the nymphs feed on the buds after fruit set, causing the grapes to fall.

Publications and Works

2001-2007

Inventory and dynamics of devastating grapevine diseases in southwestern Quebec

Identify the main fungal diseases that devastate grapevines 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 harmful to grapevines.
  • 2005-2007, Phase 2: Studies on the dynamics of spore ejection and their spatial distribution for fungi that devastate grapevines: Erysiphe necator, Plasmopara viticola.

This study contributed to the creation of two guides:

  1. Guide to the Identification of Major Grapevine Diseases
  2. Integrated Management of Major Grapevine Diseases in Quebec

Photo: a spore trap in our vineyards.

2008-2010

Dynamics of the disease caused by Botrytis Cinerea (gray mold) in grapevine in southwestern Quebec

This study enabled us to better understand the dynamics of Botrytis cinerea, which led to significant technological advancements in the development of an effective and environmentally friendly strategy for controlling grape grey mould symptoms.

Collaborators: Jacques Lasnier Ag-Cord inc. (Co-Lab R&D), Vignoble de l'Orpailleur.

Photo: grapes affected by grey mould.

2007-2010

Identify the symptoms and inventory the diseases of grapevine yellowing and the potential risks of its development on 7 grape varieties in southwestern Quebec

Photo: grapevine yellows foliar symptoms, Inspection Canada

2013-2015

Prevalence and diversity of phytoplasmas and their possible transmission by leafhoppers

  • Phase 1: Identification and understanding of phytoplasma life cycles and the development of diseases caused in grapevines.
  • Phase 2: Study of their spread in Quebec vineyards and identification of insect vectors of phytoplasma diseases.

Contributors: 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, Université de Picardie Jules Vernes Amiens in France.

Photo: a leafhopper, a piercing-sucking insect that empties plant cells in grapevine leaves, which reduces photosynthesis essential for grape maturity.

Publications and Works

2010-2012

Dynamics of the predatory mite Anystis Baccarum and its impact on vine pest populations in southwestern Quebec

Study the life cycle of the predatory mite Anystis baccarum to protect and increase their population throughout the vineyard and to develop the augmentation-conservation concept. This allowed these natural enemies to ensure the biological control of leafhoppers, harmful mites, and the grape berry moth.

Collaborators: Jacques Lasnier Ag-Cord inc. (Co-Lab R&D), Vignoble de l'Orpailleur.

Photo: Allothrombium sp. mite, a mite that is visible to the naked eye. It is a generalist predator that feeds on insect eggs and nymphs.

2013-2016

Population Biodynamics of *Drosophila Suzukii*

We have identified for the first time in Quebec vineyards the presence of this Drosophila, an invasive exotic insect native to Asia. We studied the dynamics of their population in vineyards and the risks of fruit damage.

Collaborators: Charles Vincent and Julien Saguez Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Jacques Lasnier Ag-Cord Inc. (Co-Lab R&D), Vignoble de l'Orpailleur.

Photo: a trap in the vines containing an apple cider vinegar solution to attract and inventory drosophila during the study.

Publications and Works

2017-2021

Dynamics of the Tachinidae fly Istocheta Aldrichii parasite of the Japanese beetle - phase 1

Study of the life cycle, dynamics, and population development of this Tachinid fly, which naturally suppresses the Japanese Beetle through parasitism. The Japanese Beetle is an invasive exotic insect originating from Asia.

Collaborators: Charles Vincent Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Jacques Lasnier Ag-Cord inc. (Co-Lab R&D), Vignoble de l'Orpailleur.

Photo: two Japanese Beetles parasitized by the Tachinid fly.

Finally a natural enemy against the Japanese beetle!

Several studies are currently underway.

The fruits of over 25 years of research and development

The world of wine leads to wonderful encounters; those with Jacques Lasnier and Charles Vincent were very fruitful. More than 25 years of partnership and still going strong…

  • Ag-cord Inc.

    Independent research institute incorporated since 1996. Jacques Lasnier is the sole shareholder - founder.

  • Co-Lab R&D

    Division of Ag-cord Inc. that conducts scientific research and experimental development. Expertise in developing alternative methods to pesticide use.

  • Charles Vincent

    Agricultural entomology researcher for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Horticultural Research and Development Centre in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.