Insect and Mite Pests of Grapevines on Long Island Insect and Mite Pests of Grapevines on Long Island Bud feeders Climbing cutworms is a general term applied to a large number of moth larvae that feed on grape buds. These night feeding larvae attack developing buds, young leaves, and shoots, devouring all of the tissue.
Damage is usually spotty, although it can be serious.
These beetles bore into buds, hollowing out the inside. Vines near wooded areas are more susceptible. Larvae and summer adults feed on young foliage, avoiding the leaf veins, leaving behind a kind of skeleton. In addition to flea beetle larvae and summer adults, Japanese beetles also feed on grapevine foliage. Most people are familiar with the shiny, metallic green beetle.