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Grape leafhoppers spend winter in plant debris around the vineyard until springtime when temperatures increase significantly. Grape leafhoppers feed on wild weeds shortly before they swarm into vineyards after bud break and as new green foliage appears.

In general, nymphs and adults are similar and both are sap-sucking insects that pierce into the soft tissues of plants. Grape leafhoppers feeding can lead to a wide spectrum of symptoms that vary from one variety to another, such as tiny yellow or white dots on leaves, curling or folding of leaves, yellowing of leaf edges, and even decreased rates of plant growth. It is important to note that as the season progresses, late-ripening varieties are more susceptible to grape leafhoppers.

Many leafhopper species can transmit important plant diseases such as Pierce’s disease (xylella fastidiosa) and different phytoplasmas comprising the “Grapevine Yellows” complex, such as bois noir (blackwood disease) and flavescence dorée. It is difficult to differentiate between leafhopper species with eyesight.