Snowy Tree Cricket, Oecanthus fultoni T.J. Walker (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)
Sound:
The snowy tree cricket damages grapevines primarily through its
ovipositional activities. During late summer
or
early fall, the female cricket makes a series of punctures in a grape cane,
which is usually growth of the current season. She then lays an egg in each
hole. Eggs hatch late the following spring and the young crickets are predaceous
during most of their lives, occasionally feed.jpg)
ing
on a variety of vegetation when they are nearly completely developed. Adults are
strictly plant feeders. By late summer, the crickets achieve the adult stage.
The adult tree cricket is slender, 5/8 inch long and pale green, and has
antennae that are considerably longer than its body. There is only one
generation per year.
Canes may break at the ovipositional punctures and additional injury may take place if disease organisms enter the cane through the egg punctures; however, extensive damage attributable to this insect is not common. Vineyards most likely to be infested are those with large amounts of natural ground cover or cover crops, which provide food and shelter for the crickets.
Current pesticide recommendations may be found Here