The Grape Leaf Folder, Desmia Funeralis (Hübner), A Minor Pest Of Grape In Florida

The grape leaf folder is a common and widely distributed species that is a minor pest of grapes in the United States. In California severe outbreaks have occurred in restricted areas during some years. These outbreaks have been associated with failures of parasites to attain their normal levels. In Florida the grape leaf folder has done substantial damage to grape leaves in September and October after the spray program has been discontinued by some growers. This may deplete the food reserves in the vine sufficiently to reduce the size of the next crop.

The ability to control grape pests in Florida is becoming more meaningful with the rebirth of the grape industry. At one time, bunch grape plantings numbered several thousand acres in Florida, then nearly disappeared from the adverse effects of Pierce’s disease. The bunch grape industry stagnated for several years; however, recent development of several resistant varieties by the University of Florida Watermelon and Grape Investigations Laboratory at Leesburg has spurred interest. Even so there are fewer than 100 acres of commercial vineyards in Florida, the largest being a 15-acre planting at Pensacola, home and garden plantings of bunch grapes probably are equivalent to another 100 acres according to Dr. John A. Mortensen of the Leesburg lab. Expansion of the bunch grape industry in Florida seems assured as the improved varieties become available and are better known. These varieties have uses varying from table or dessert use to jelly, juice, and wine making,