Short Shoot Syndrome (SSS) has become increasingly recognized as economically important in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The first grower reports of SSS occurred in 2001 and similar symptoms were observed in Washington vineyards in 2006. The aim of this research was to investigate possible causes of SSS found in Oregon vineyards. Generally, the density of C. vitis per shoot was shown to contribute to the severity of crop losses found in Oregon vineyards. Preventative and well-timed sprays at the woolly bud stage in spring helped to prevent damage due to rust mite infestation.

This raises the question why C. vitis outbreaks occurred on an industry-wide level in Oregon, and whether pesticide regimes used by many producers in the Pacific Northwest are detrimental to natural enemies, such as predatory mites. These sprays often include regular sulfur sprays and these are known to be detrimental to resident beneficial mite populations. A focused research effort to develop integrated control practices for eriophyid mites, powdery mildew, and conservation biological control of spider was done in order to determine the impact of pesticide sprays on beneficial arthropod populations. Data is presented on the number of natural enemies found in different pesticide treatments