Found on grapevine in Southern AZ
Location: Southern Arizona SE Tucson PIma county
August 3, 2011 3:18 pm
We have an infestation of what seem to be caterpillars. They start out very small and grow to be pretty hearty looking caterpillars with light green/yellow, and purple bands. They are only on the grape vine in the backyard and have not gone to any other plant in the yard. I hate to harm them but they are killing the vine. Any idea what they may be? Thank you!
Signature: Thankful for your time, Ashley Goode

Western Grape Leaf Skeletonizers

Hi Ashley,
We believe you would be justified in removing these Western Grape Leaf Skeletonizers, Harrisina metallica, from your grape vine.  According to BugGuide:  “Adults emerge and lay eggs on leaves soon after bud-break in spring. Early instars feed gregariously on undersides of leaves which they skeletonize. Later instars spread out and may defoliate entire vineyards. Several generations per year.”

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Help identifying unknown caterpillar
Location: Rockledge, FL
November 17, 2010 5:41 pm
While clearing overgrown grape vine within a nature preserve we had found numerous small caterpillars around 0.5 cm in size. They suspend themselves on silk strands when threatened. Can you help in identifying them. We can’t seem to locate them in our books.
Signature: Brandon Smith, Environmental Program Coordinator

Grapeleaf Skeletonizer

Hi Brandon,
Sorry for the delay.  We researched this when you sent the image, but then we got waylayed and never posted the response.  Though the markings are a bit different, we believe this is a Grapeleaf Skeletonizer, Harrisina americana, which is pictured on BugGuide.

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little worms on grapevine
I think you guys are great. I would love to know what these little worms are. They really don’t seem to move, but I’ve found evidence that they’ve been around. Where did they come from and do they need to be destroyed or do they turn into something good? I found them on my grapevine. Thanks,
Lois Cain

Lois
These caterpillars are Grape Leaf Skeletonizers, Harrisina metallica. The caterpillars are a major defoliator on grape vines.

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Whats this?
Hy, I am Don from Franklin, La, and I have a second year growth of Thompson White Seedless grape vines that have and still has this pocket of caterpillars, they start with a group of egg pockets cluster about the size of a quarter and grow to small caterpillars and eat away at the leaves, I sprayed with daconil and also use seven dust (which is better) than daconil. What is it and what is the best control? I also saw a leafhopper.
Don

Hi Don,
These are Grapeleaf Skeletonizers, Harrisina americana. The caterpillars will eat the leaves to the veins. We don’t provide extermination advice.

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caterpiller
WTB, you guys are wonderfull. I had a question about an Orange Dog a while back @ you guys got back to me right-a-way. Thank-you. I have another Caterpiller I’m curious about. I didn’t see any other pictures of them, so hopefully you’ll get this one I’m sending. (Computer illiterate) I live in Chandler, AZ. ( Phoenix area). Our neighbors have some grape vines growing over our fence. I was very excited that we were going to have fresh grapes until I noticed they were covered by these yellow, black & blue stripped caterpillars. They don’t really seem to be eating the grapes, just the leaves. The plant does seem to be dying however, I don’t know if its from these little guys or just neglect. The one I took a picture of is one of the larger ones. About a 1/2 in. Any-way, what are they? Will they go for any of our other plants, for example, our orange tree? Are they poisonous if eaten by our dogs? Could they be killing the grape vines, & should I be concerned about them? Thanks again,
Cindy

Hi again Cindy,
We have been away and are just catching up on letters. This caterpillar is a Western Grape Leaf Skeletonizer, Harrisina brillians. This is a new caterpillar for our site. They are a major defoliating pest of grapes and will not spread to your other trees. If they are numerous, they will completly strip a vineyard of leaves. This will not kill the vines, but it will not be a good year for grapes. They will not poison your pets.

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