Double Trouble for Grape Growers from Vine Mealybug Suterra Technical Support Manager Sara Goldman field scouts for vine mealybug in a table grape vineyard. Photo courtesy of Suterra Vine mealybug (VMB) is vineyard enemy No. 1 among insects, in part because of its versatility as a pest. It is equally impactful from a disease standpoint. “Vineyards in the Western U.S. face a growing threat from VMB,” Sara Goldman, Technical Support Manager with Suterra, says. “It’s a serious threat because it not only damages fruit by feeding but also spreads grape leafroll viruses, which cause disease that can destroy otherwise healthy vines.”