Alternative Control Methods for Grape Leafhopper

View the project final report

Commodities

• Fruits: grapes

Practices

• Education and Training: demonstration
• Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity, habitat enhancement
• Pest Management: biological control, botanical pesticides, mulches - living

Leafhoppers have become an increasing threat to grape growers in NY and the New England area due to recent appearance of pesticide-resistant strains, causing greater chemical use and use of more toxic insecticides. I propose to treat what has become a serious infestation in my own vineyard over the last few years with a combination of insecticidal soap and botanical sprays, possibly a light oil application, cover crop to encourage beneficial predators and a release of beneficial. Populations will be carefully monitored to guide the timing of treatments and to assess results. Leafhoppers are a common pest in vineyards throughout the Northeast (and elsewhere). The results of this project will hopefully suggest alternative controls to growers who face resistance problems, high chemical application hazards and costs. The potential removal of traditional insecticides by FQPA. More than 200 tons of organically grown grapes are currently marketed annually in the Finger Lakes. Results of this project will strengthen this segment of grape growing and help others.