What's eating my flame seedless grape?

Flame Seedless, a classic red table grape, is attacked by leafhoppers that stipple and bleach foliage, grape berry moth larvae that bore into berries, and powdery mildew (disease). Birds devastate ripe clusters. In warm western US regions where Flame is most grown, grape leafhopper and glassy-winged sharpshooter are the key insect pests. Bird netting is essential.

White stippling on upper leaf surface (bleached patches); heavy infestations cause premature leaf drop and reduced fruit quality; sticky excrement dots berries. Introduce egg parasitoid Anagrus epos; apply insecticidal soap to leaf undersides; avoid dust on leaves (dust disrupts natural enemies); remove weedy groundcovers that harbor overwintering adults.

Larvae bore inside berries causing shriveling, webbing, and bunch rot entry points. Apply Bt or spinosad at degree-day-timed egg hatch; use pheromone disruption; remove and dispose of mummified berries and bark strips where pupae overwinter.

Clusters stripped or individual berries pecked as they ripen; once birds find the vine, losses can be near-total within days. Drape fine-mesh bird netting over the vine canopy before color break; ensure netting is secured at the base.

Gregarious yellow-and-black larvae skeletonize leaves from the underside, leaving a lacy, brown, papery surface. Hand-pick egg masses and young larval clusters; apply Bt kurstaki to young larvae; destroy pupae found in soil or under bark.