If the Domaine Gérard Brisson is certified Terra Vitis it is because we are aware of the importance of preserving biodiversity through natural defense mechanisms. thus this protection is ensured by living beings whose presence is beneficial for the cultivation of the vine. These living things are culture auxiliaries .
Insect pests
A grape budworm that damages the grape
First of all, many insect pests litter the vineyards of winegrowers. While not all of them are as fierce as phylloxera, they are still pests. Pests that destroy the work of the winegrower . For example, we can cite grape berry moths, leafhoppers, mealybugs, aphids …
What is phylloxera?
The phylloxera is an insect that ravaged all of European vineyards between 1860 and 1910. Thus during these years, the production of wines fell a lot. However, it was noted that American vines were resistant to this insect. Therefore we decided to graft American vines to European vines in order to save wine production.
Cultivation auxiliaries to the rescue of the vines
Photo of a lacewing also called the “Damselfly with golden eyes” when adult
However, these insect pests are also the target of predators. Indeed these predators, by feeding on these harmful species, protect the vines. Ladybugs or lacewing larvae, also known as “The Golden-eyes Demoiselle”, are good examples. In addition, if wasps and spiders are very often unloved by humans, they nonetheless remain valuable crop aids.
Finally, at the top of this food chain, we find the birds. Indeed, birds feed mainly on insects. Therefore, this makes them formidable predators. Whether blackbirds, chickadees, thrushes or even swallows, they play an essential role in the preservation of vines .
A tit and a blackbird that we see regularly in the vines