Erythroneura comes

(Say, 1825)

Eastern Grape Leafhopper

Erythroneura comes, the Eastern Grape Leafhopper, is a key pest of grapevines in central and northeastern North America. overwinter in leaf litter and debris, becoming active in spring to feed on diverse plants before colonizing grape foliage. Despite feeding on many plants, oviposition is restricted exclusively to wild and cultivated grape. The causes stippling, , and early leaf drop through feeding damage, with one to four per year depending on geographic location and environmental conditions.

Florae Columbiae (Plate CLXVI) (8205984642) by Duemmler, Ferdinand.; Karsten, Hermann; Schmidt, Carl Friedrich Wilhelm. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Erythroneura comes: /ɛrɪˈθrɒnjʊra ˈkoʊmɛs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from by plant association and geographic range. Identification to level requires examination of genitalia and wing venation characters typical of Erythroneura. The species is part of a complex of grape-feeding Erythroneura that includes E. bistrata and others; precise identification often requires examination.

Images

Appearance

are small leafhoppers with membranous wings held roof-like over the body. Nymphs progress through early and late instars before reaching adulthood. Coloration typically includes pale or yellowish-green body with darker markings. Wing venation and body proportions follow the general pattern of Typhlocybinae leafhoppers. Exact color pattern details specific to E. comes are not well documented in available sources.

Habitat

Vineyards, edges of wooded areas, and landscapes adjacent to grape . sites include leaf litter and debris in and around vineyards. Spring feeding occurs on extensive range of plants, weeds, and grasses before to grapevines.

Distribution

Central and northeastern United States and Canada. Documented from Alabama, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, and additional states in the primary range. The has been a documented vineyard pest for nearly 200 years.

Seasonality

Overwinters as . Active from spring through fall with one per year in New York, three to four generations in Oklahoma. Activity period dependent on temperature, , and rainfall.

Diet

Nymphs and feed on plant sap using . Pre-oviposition feeding occurs on diverse plants including weeds, grasses, and various herbaceous vegetation. Once grapevines are colonized, feeding is concentrated on grape foliage. The does not feed directly on fruit.

Host Associations

Vitis (grapevine) - primaryOnly known oviposition ; both wild and cultivated grape
Various weeds and grasses - secondaryPre-oviposition feeding and mating

Life Cycle

become active in spring, feeding on diverse plants before locating grapevines. Mating occurs on various , but are laid only on grape foliage. Nymphs develop through early and late instars on grape leaves, with feeding damage causing stippling and . Depending on region, one to four complete development annually. Late-season adults seek overwintering sites in leaf litter.

Behavior

disperse from sites to feed on multiple plant before locating grapevines for . Females exhibit strong oviposition fidelity to grape despite ability to feed and mate on other plants. influenced by environmental conditions affecting laying and survival.

Ecological Role

Herbivore and vineyard pest. Feeding damage reduces photosynthetic capacity of vines and can cause stunting with repeated . Excrement deposition on berries supports growth, reducing fruit quality. Serves as prey for and in vineyard .

Human Relevance

Significant economic pest of wine and table grape production. Damage includes reduced cluster number, decreased berry sweetness, vine stunting, and fruit quality degradation through excrement and . Subject to programs incorporating , cultural practices, and monitoring.

Similar Taxa

Erythroneura bistrataAnother grape-feeding Erythroneura in eastern North America; requires genitalia examination for reliable separation
Other Erythroneura speciesNumerous feed on grape and other plants; limits often unclear without identification
Typhlocyba pomariaAnother typhlocybine leafhopper pest of fruit trees with similar appearance and damage

More Details

IPM Management

approaches include monitoring models, using parasitic and , cultural and methods, and understanding of grape varieties. Management must account for multiple in southern range and single generation in northern range.

Historical Pest Status

Documented as a vineyard pest for nearly 200 years, indicating long-established association with grape in North America. and damage potential vary significantly across geographic range due to time differences.