This damage is much more important than the adult foliar injury. Vines become unthrifty, reducing yield, and may even die after several years of infestation. If vines are planted in soil poorly suited to grape, any damage by grape rootworm will have a more severe effect. The life cycle takes one to two years for completion. Its distribution in Virginia is not known.
Chemical control is directed toward adults soon after emergence, before oviposition.
First and second grape berry moth sprays may control grape rootworm. Pupae may be destroyed by intensive shallow cultivation of soil until adults emerge in late June.