How to Manage Pests

Seasonal development and life cycle—Leafhoppers

Leafhoppers overwinter as adults, and are found in spring on basal grape leaves and weeds. Eggs of the grape leafhopper are laid in epidermal tissue in the leaves in April and May and appear as a bean-shaped, blisterlike protuberance. Eggs of the variegated leafhopper are similar in appearance but laid Overwintered females lay eggs deeper within the leaf tissue. in grapes for about 6 weeks. Leafhoppers pass through five nymphal stages. Nymphs feed primarily on the undersides of leaves. The last two instars of the variegated leafhopper feed mostly on the top surface of the leaves. Feeding from nymphs and adults of both species causes yellow leaf stippling. There are at least two generations a year and sometimes a partial third. Variegated leafhoppers require slightly longer to progress through the different stages. By the third brood, peak variegated leafhopper nymphal population development is delayed by a week or more.