Natural enemies
Several parasites attack grape leaffolder. Among the most common is the larval parasite Bracon cushmani.
After stinging and paralyzing leaffolder larvae, female B. cushmani lay from one to several eggs on the
body of leaffolder larvae. B. cushmani larvae feed externally and, after completing their development,
pupate next to the consumed host. This parasitism frequently reduces second- and third-generation populations
to below economic levels. In addition to B. cushmani, several other hymenoptera parasites and at least
two species of flies parasitize leaffolder. Generalist
predators such as lacewings and spiders also attack
grape leaffolder larvae. | |
