grape plume moth
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Beginner
Scientific Name
Pterophorus periscelidactylus
Identification
Eggs
- Laid in groups of two to ten on vines
- At maturity, larvae are about 2 cm long, and green with white hairs
Adults
- Light brown with lighter markings, possessing narrow, plumed wings, and is about 14 mm long
Damage
- Entire leaves or interveinal areas of leaves chewed and webbing may be present on leaves
- Terminal leaves of shoots webbed together
Often Confused With
Eight-spotted forester larvae - larger ( 3.3 cm) with have yellow, black and white stripes and black spots; do not web terminal leaves together
Japanese beetle: adults are easily seen feeding and mating on injured leaves; smaller veins are left behind after feeding, giving leaves a lacy appearance
Period of Activity
Late spring (prebloom).
Scouting Notes
Look for shoots with young leaves webbed together. Pull these apart and look for larvae inside. When scouting for grape berry moth in borders of vineyards, make note of any grape plume moth larval activity.
Threshold
None. This is a pest of low impact with rare exceptions.
Advanced
Scientific Name
Pterophorus periscelidactylus
Identification
Eggs
- Laid in groups of two to ten on vines
- At maturity, larvae are about 2 cm long, and green with white hairs
Adults
- Light brown with lighter markings, possessing narrow, plumed wings, and is about 14 mm long
Damage
- Entire leaves or interveinal areas of leaves chewed and webbing may be present on leaves
- Terminal leaves of shoots webbed together
Often Confused With
Eight-spotted forester larvae - larger ( 3.3 cm) with have yellow, black and white stripes and black spots; do not web terminal leaves together
Japanese beetle: adults are easily seen feeding and mating on injured leaves; smaller veins are left behind after feeding, giving leaves a lacy appearance
Biology
The grape plume moth overwinters in the pupal stage. Adult moths emerge during the spring and lay eggs on grapevines. Eggs hatch into larvae which feed on the leaves, usually at shoot terminals. There is one generation per year. Damage is most severe along the perimeters of vineyards and in rows near bushes, woods or weedy areas.
Period of Activity
Late spring (prebloom).
Scouting Notes
Look for shoots with young leaves webbed together. Pull these apart and look for larvae inside. When scouting for grape berry moth in borders of vineyards, make note of any grape plume moth larval activity.
Threshold
None.This is a pest of low impact with rare exceptions.
Management Notes
No management recommended.
