Controlling the American grapevine leafhopper, which spreads a golden-yellow discolouration on the vines, remains a priority in Hungarian vineyards. The Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County Government Office has published its first official control notice for 2026 – as reported in the On the website of the National Council of Mountain Communities.
The measure is Bükki and the Tokaji wine region the vineyards of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County applies to, and its aim is to curb the epidemic spread of FD phytoplasma and to protect vineyards.
The first treatment session begins on 8 June
Based on county-level surveys, the emergence of the larvae of the American grapevine leafhopper 21 May 2026 has begun, and the mass emergence of first-instar larvae is expected between 22 May and 8 June.
1TP138 Available dates
- First treatment period: 8–15 June 2026.
- Second treatment period: 29 June – 12 July 2026.
- Third treatment: in accordance with the defence alert issued subsequently
There is currently no cure for the disease, which is why prevention is so important
The authority emphasises that the American grapevine leafhopper is the primary vector of the FD phytoplasma, which causes grapevine yellowing. As the disease is currently incurable, the most effective way to prevent infection is to control the vector in a timely and professional manner.
When carrying out pest control, particular attention must be paid to cleaning the trunk, ensuring adequate spray coverage, and selecting the appropriate plant protection technology. To increase effectiveness, professional recommendations suggest that a systemic formulation should be applied at least once.
Authorised products
The list of plant protection products that can be used for pest control is available at „Insecticides authorised for use against cicada species in vineyards” is set out in the annex, which is available below together with the call for applications. The annex provides detailed information on products suitable for use in conventional and organic farming, as well as on insecticides authorised for use under emergency authorisation.
The pest control advisory and the list of authorised products are available at On the website of the National Council of Mountain Communities.
