Phylloxera is the microscopic, green parasite which affects the vineyards. It is native to eastern coast of North America but the vineyard in those areas has high resistance to louse and survive without any harm. This is similar to aphid which affects the leaves and roots of the vine.
The louse produces the nodules in the roots. Normally, the life cycle of Phylloxera passes through 21 different stages. Accidentally, it arrives to Europe from northern America at 1960. The European wines does not have resistant to these louse and destroys the whole wineries. This serious problem was solved by Texas scientist when they discovered it was happened by the Phylloxera. They suggested to plant Vitis Labrusca which has resistant to this parasite.
Europeans started grafting a European vine onto American rootstock and saved the vines from Phylloxera attack. Initially, winemakers hesitated to use this kind of grape vines, later they experienced that it does not alter the taste of the wine and started using it in wine making. California grapevines were also affected by the Phylloxera and later it was discovered that there are two types of Phylloxera. Vitis Labrusca has resistant to one type and not to the second. They started applying many methods to defeat the parasite.
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