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From:Chappells, SC Region: Southeast Topic: Pests, Vines Title: White sticky stuff on muscadine grape vines from Chappells SC Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Muscadine vine has white sticky substance on leaves and vines, what is it?
ANSWER:
This sounds like aphids. Read this article from the University of California Integrated Pest Management Series on Aphids. Particularly note this paragraph:
"Low to moderate numbers of leaf-feeding aphids aren't usually damaging in gardens or on trees. However, large populations can turn leaves yellow and stunt shoots; aphids can also produce large quantities of a sticky exudate known as honeydew, which often turns black with the growth of a sooty mold fungus. Some aphid species inject a toxin into plants, which causes leaves to curl and further distorts growth. A few species cause gall formations."
Aphids feed on the foliage and vines of grape plants, but more serious injury results from the infestation of the developing fruit clusters. Dry weather contributes to the growth of aphid populations.
The grapevine aphid (Figure 6) is usually not important enough to necessitate specific treatments. Good production practices result in grapevines that are of sufficient vigor to tolerate some attack by aphids. Aphids are attacked by predators like ladybird beetle adults and larvae, and lacewing larvae that regulate their population."
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