We’ve teamed up with the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association (MPVA) and Agriculture Victoria to protect our local wine industry from the threat of Phylloxera – an invasive pest.
We are seeking the community’s insider knowledge of the Mornington Peninsula to locate and survey backyard and ornamental vines (also known as amenity vines) for the presence of this pest.
Phylloxera, a significant threat to both commercial and backyard vines, is an insect that can devastate a commercial vineyard and is easily transmitted between vines.
This transfer occurs when infected soil or plant material is carried from infected areas, even on people’s shoes or clothes, to healthy vines.
An important study is being undertaken by Agriculture Victoria to detect the presence or absence of Phylloxera on the Mornington Peninsula to help protect the region’s valuable wine industry from this biosecurity threat. To do this we need to locate and test backyard and ornamental vines across the Peninsula.
To contribute to the study simply download the Snap Send Solve app onto your phone and use it to snap a photo of any vines in your backyard or a public place. Then it’s as simple as:
- Select your location,
- Select the ‘incident’ as ‘amenity vine’
- Notify Agriculture Victoria so they can undertake an inspection.
The Snap Send Solve app is already used widely on the Mornington Peninsula by Shire residents to notify of littering and other ‘incidents’.
PICTURE DETAILS: Example of an ornamental vine.
