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European Grapevine Moth (Lobesia botrana) |
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Background
Lobesia botrana (L. botrana) or European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) is a significant pest of berries and berry-like fruits in Europe, the Mediterranean, southern Russia, Japan, the Middle East, Near East, and northern and western Africa. Since 1986, surveys for this pest have occurred throughout the United States without any detection. In the fall of 2009, a new detection of EGVM was found in California and represents the first time it has been found both in the U.S. and in North America. Preliminary survey activities have determined that EGVM is present in several counties within the central portion of California. APHIS, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and County Agriculture offices are working together to detect, delimit, and control this pest before it has the opportunity to spread.
Biology
EGVM is primarily a pest of grapes, although other hosts have been reported. EGVM feeds on flower buds and fruit, producing both external and internal damage. Often the secondary damage is caused by fruit rotting due to fungal pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea. Unlike other grape berry moths, L. botrana moths are generally only active at night from sunset to sunrise, and fly mainly at dusk, resting on the vines during the day. The females typically mate once, while the males are capable of mating multiple times. Females lay eggs singly on the food source of the bracts, petals, and stems of flower clusters in the spring and on the berries in the summer. Newly hatched larvae are highly mobile and immediately penetrate the flower buds or berries of hosts. Young larvae of the spring (1st) generation bore directly into flower buds and flowers, while larvae of the summer (2nd and 3rd) generation(s) enter the berries. All generations of the EGVM can be found in vineyards, but in terms of economic damage, the summer generations that feed on fruit are typically the most important on grapevines because they affect the grape berry. EGVM overwinters as diapausing pupae which is induced by changes in temperature and photo period.
News and Information
- USDA Announces Additional Funding to Control European Grapevine Moth in California (Feb. 24, 2012)
- California County Websites
- Reports and Publications
- Economic Impacts of The European Grapevine Moth (Lobesia Botrana) In California (PDF; 1.29 Mb)
- Overwintering and First Generation by Andrea Lucchi, Bruno Bagnoli, Claudio Ioriatti (PDF; 408 Mb)
- Powerpoint in Italian with images: Gli insetti dannosi del vitigno Vernaccia, Andrea Lentini (Italian) (PDF; 2 Mb)
- California Grape Acreage Reports
- Situation Reports
- August 27, 2011 (PDF; 115 Kb)
- July 16, 2011 (PDF; 117 Kb)
- Highlights from Industry Calls
- Highlights for FY12 (PDF; 23 Kb)
Maps
- Proposed 2013 EGVM Quarantine (PDF; 2.03 Mb)
Survey
There are many types of tortricids that can be confused for EGVM and other moths. Adult moths must be identified by a qualified entomologist. Larval stages cannot be reliably identified using morphological characters.
- Grape Commodity-based Survey Reference (PDF; 11 Mb)
- Grape Commodity-based Survey Guideline (PDF; 9.72 Mb)
- 2010 Taxonomic Guidelines, Screening & Identification Aid for the European Grapevine Moth Survey (PDF; 2.98 Mb)
- Contact Information for the Integrated Plant Health Information System (PDF; 34 Mb)
Contact:
Andrea Simao
Program Manager
Telephone: 301-851-2067
E-mail: Andrea.B.Simao@aphis.usda.gov
