Are these bugs harmful to me?

No, these common grapevine pests are only interested in your plant and do not bite or harm humans.

Should I use heavy pesticides?

Avoid heavy chemicals if possible, as they can kill beneficial insects that help control the pest population naturally.

What is eating my grapevine? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Look for small bumps or galls on the leaf surface.
Check if the leaves look like lace or skeletons.
Dig slightly around the base to see if the roots look stunted.

Likely causes

Grape Phylloxera
Most likely
How to tell: You might see small, wart like galls on the leaves or notice the vine losing vigor due to root damage. It is a tiny aphid like insect that is hard to see without a magnifying glass.
What to do: If you have a susceptible variety, there is no easy cure once they hit the roots. Consult a local extension office about using resistant rootstocks for future plantings.
Japanese Beetles
Possible
How to tell: These beetles skeletonize the leaves, leaving only the veins behind. They are metallic green and copper and are easy to spot during the day.
What to do: Hand pick the beetles off the leaves in the early morning when they are sluggish. Drop them into a bucket of soapy water to kill them.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your grape

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

If you see widespread leaf skeletonizing or the vine stops growing entirely, the infestation is severe and needs immediate management.

Stopping it coming back

Choose grape varieties that are grafted onto phylloxera resistant rootstocks when you first plant your vine.

Grape: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your grape and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Are these bugs harmful to me?: No, these common grapevine pests are only interested in your plant and do not bite or harm humans.
Should I use heavy pesticides?: Avoid heavy chemicals if possible, as they can kill beneficial insects that help control the pest population naturally.

What is eating my grapevine?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your grape?

Likely causes

Grape Phylloxera

Japanese Beetles

Find out what's wrong with your grape

When to worry

Stopping it coming back

Grape: pests? Check yours with a photo

Questions people ask

Guides to these causes

More problems with Grape