Biological control of the Virginia creeper leafhopper (Erythroneura ziczac Walsh), a new invasive pest in Northern California vineyards

Over the past few years wine grape growers throughout Northern California have begun to experience outbreaks of the Virginia creeper leafhopper (Erythroneura ziczac Walsh [Hemiptera: Cicadellidae]). This newly invasive species is similar in size and form to a related vineyard pest, the Western grape leafhopper (Erythroneura elegantula Osborn). California populations of E. elegantula are regularly kept in check by the egg parasitoids Anagrus erythroneurae S. Trjapitzin & Chiappini and A. daanei S. Triapitsyn (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). While A. daanei is known to attack E. ziczac in British Columbia, and can be found in most Northern California vineyards attacking E. elegantula, the parasitoid does not appear to be attacking E. ziczac in regions where the outbreaks are occurring. This presentation is a report on our current efforts to identifying and evaluate A. daanei populations in California to enhance biological control of E. ziczac.