Grape Leafhoppers
Class: Insects
Common Name
Cicadas, leafhoppers, and jassids
Scientific name
Different species in the Cicadidae and Cicadellidae families
Potential Hosts
Grape
Who am I?
Grape leafhoppers spend winter in plant debris around the vineyard until springtime when temperatures increase significantly. Grape leafhoppers feed on wild weeds shortly before they swarm into vineyards after bud break and as new green foliage appears.
In general, nymphs and adults are similar and both are sap-sucking insects that pierce into the soft tissues of plants. Grape leafhoppers feeding can lead to a wide spectrum of symptoms that vary from one variety to another, such as tiny yellow or white dots on leaves, curling or folding of leaves, yellowing of leaf edges, and even decreased rates of plant growth. It is important to note that as the season progresses, late-ripening varieties are more susceptible to grape leafhoppers.
Many leafhopper species can transmit important plant diseases such as Pierce's disease (xylella fastidiosa) and different phytoplasmas comprising the “Grapevine Yellows” complex, such as bois noir (blackwood disease) and flavescence dorée. It is difficult to differentiate between leafhopper species with eyesight.
Control measures
Cultural
Monitor: It is easier and more cost effective to overcome infestations and successfully eliminate grape leafhoppers during the initial stage of infestation. Grape leafhoppers are most susceptible to insecticides during the nymphal stage.
Make it a routine to monitor crops regularly and search plants for the presence of leafhoppers.
Maintain a healthy plant: Weak plants are more vulnerable to damage from grape than healthy plants. Therefore, adequate irrigation and fertilization regimes are important.
Sanitation: Many weeds are hosts for leafhoppers. Clean weeds and wild grasses in and around the vineyard as often as possible. This is important since it can reduce the overall population of grape leafhoppers.
Conventional (chemical)
The following insecticides are used in one or more parts of the world: Flonicamid, buprofezine, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, sulfoxaflor, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, and *carbaryl.
(*Note that while carbaryl-based insecticides are still used in some countries, there are safer alternatives available today.)
Organic
Neem oil and mineral oil can be applied.
*Names marked in red are considered to be highly poisonous to beneficial insects
*Names marked in green are considered to be IPM (integrated pest management) compatible
Caution and careful notice should be taken when using any plant protection products (insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides). It is the grower’s sole responsibility to keep track of the legal uses and permissions with respect to the laws in their country and destination markets. Always read the instructions written on labels, and in a case of contradiction, work in accordance to the product label. Keep in mind that information written on the label usually applies to local markets. Pest control products intended for organic farming are generally considered to be less effective in comparison to conventional products. When dealing with organic, biologic, and to some extent a small number of conventional chemical products, a complete eradication of a pest or disease will often require several iterations of a specific treatment or combination of treatments.