Biology, Ecology, and Management of Eastern Grape Leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a Key Pest of Vineyards in North America

Eastern grape leafhopper, Erythroneura comes (Say), is a key pest of grapes (Vitales: Vitaceae) in the central and northeastern United States and eastern Canada. This native insect uses its piercing-sucking mouthparts to puncture the mesophyll cells of leaves and suck out the contents, thereby reducing the quality and quantity of fruit. Eastern grape leafhopper has been reported as a vineyard pest for nearly 200 yr and is one of several Erythroneura spp. that feed on grapes in North America. Overwintered adults become active in early spring and may feed on grasses, weeds, and other plants before feeding on grapevines. Although eastern grape leafhopper has an extensive host range, it is only known to oviposit on wild and cultivated grapes. This multivoltine species can outbreak periodically, which has generated much research into improved monitoring and integrated pest management strategies employed throughout its native range. In this review, we describe the biology, life history, population dynamics, and phenology of eastern grape leafhopper and provide a historical account of monitoring and management strategies for this important vineyard pest.

Investigations on the Grape Leafhopper Erasmoneura vulnerata in North-Eastern Italy

The leafhopper Erasmoneura vulnerata (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is native of Northern and Central America where it occurs on wild and cultivated grapes as well as on a number of secondary hosts. This species was recorded for the first time in Europe (Italy, Veneto region) in 2004. Since then it has spread over Northern Italy and Slovenia. Studies on the biology of E. vulnerata in America are limited and thus its phenology was investigated on Vitis labrusca L. and Vitis vinifera L. plants under field and semi-field conditions. These observations suggest that E. vulnerata can complete 2–3 generations per year. The development of E. vulnerata from first instar nymphs to adults was studied under controlled conditions (about 23 °C). Developmental times lasted from 16.1 days in July–August to 19.5 days in September, and this variability was probably due to grape cultivar and plant susceptibility. Data were consistent with the number of generations previously reported. Erasmoneura vulnerata was more abundant on vines close to overwintering sites than on those located 100–250 m from these sites and contiguous to commercial vineyards.