Lobesia botrana

Biocontrol of the European grapevine moth

Common name: European grapevine moth
Scientific name: Lobesia botrana
Order: Lepidoptera
Affects: Grapevines
Main season: Spring, Summer and Autumn

Prays citri

General information

This tortricid is possibly the most damaging pest for vine crops in our country. It is also known as the European grapevine moth or European grape worm. There are also other species that are known as cluster moths, amongst which we can name: Eupoecilia (Clysia) ambiguella and Cryptoblabes gnidiella.

However, Lobesia botrana is the most harmful and widespread pest of all the grapevine species. Only in the more humid areas of the North could Clysia ambiguella have any impact. This second species is the one that causes the most damage to vineyards in other more humid countries, such as France or Northern Italy.

bunch of grapes

Morphology and biology

The adult has an approximate wingspan of 12 mm and brown wings that are mottled with light and dark blotches. The larva is green or sometimes brown with a brownish-grey head. The pupa is protected by a white silken cocoon. The eggs are a yellowish colour and have an oval shape. The larvae are laid individually on the grapes, looking like small drops of wax. The larva hibernates in the form of a chrysalis, hiding in the bark of the vine trees and they can also be found on the ground or on the edges of leaves


Lobesia botrana larva

Lobesia botrana larva


Lobesia botrana pupa

Lobesia botrana pupa


In Spring, the adults emerge in stages and fly at night. The first generation lays its eggs on the corolla of the flowers. Each female lays 50 to 80 eggs which normally hatch in a week. The larvae grow inside the clusters by connecting the flower buds with silk threads and forming masses. They pupate on the leaves or on the bark of the grapevines and then a new generation of adults begins to hatch.

The second and third generations of adults lay their eggs on the grapes, preferably if they are smooth and dry. They also look for shaded areas and shelter to stop the eggs from drying out. The presence of moisture or sulphur powder on the vines stops the eggs from being laid.

Lobesia botrana adults

Lobesia botrana adults


There can be 2 generations in regions with a colder climate and 3 generations in Mediterranean regions and the South, although this can vary depending on the climate each year. The optimum amount of humidity for Lobesia botrana to develop is between 40% and 70%, whereas for Eupoecilia (Clysia) ambiguella it exceeds 75%.

Drought and high summer temperatures are important factors of death, which can lead to a high mortality rate of the eggs.

The developmental threshold for larvae is 10°C. The photoperiod determines the entrance into diapause. The insects coming from eggs laid after the month of July will enter diapause when they come to pupate. All of these climatic factors influence in the evolution of the pest and therefore the damage it can cause, as these are greater with 3 generations a year.


Damage

The first generation causes damage to the floral buds and flowers, but this is of little importance as it does not affect the quantity or quality of the crops.

The 2nd and 3rd generations cause direct damage to the grapes by entering inside and feeding on them. This then translates into a loss of commercial value of the grapes.

The most serious damage that the 2nd and 3rd generation larvae cause, consists of wounds that they open in the fruit. This is an entry route for rot to set in the cluster (especially Botrytis), which can become a very serious problem.

Grapes damaged by Lobesia botrana

Grapes damaged by Lobesia botrana


Biocontrol


Detection and monitoring

1 to 2 traps per hectare should be placed at the same height as the crops. They can be placed on the vines or on specific supports. The traps should be placed at the beginning of the flowering period.s

Lobesia botrana daños en uva

ECONEX WHITE TRIANGULAR
trap placed in a vineyard to monitor Lobesia botrana


Mass captures

The males of this species are mainly captured in order to reduce mating, meaning that the unfertilised females will lay unviable eggs. Therefore, it greatly reduces the population of the pest.

For mass trapping, the number of traps per surface area must be increased, depending on the location and uniformity of the plots. One trap controls a surface area between 500 and 1.000 m2. This means a density of 10 to 20 traps per hectare.

Racimo de uva

Lamina con capturas Lobesia botrana

ECONEX WHITE TRIANGULAR
trap where the captures of Lobesia botrana can be observed


Period of use

To obtain good control of the European grapevine moth, it is advisable to combine two methods: detection and monitoring; and mass trapping.

In Spring, 1 to 2 traps per hectare should be placed for the detection of the pest and observation of its population levels.

With tolerance thresholds established in each area, the moment to adopt control measures, in this case mass trapping, is then defined. The tolerance threshold for Lobesia botrana is very low and varies depending on the area. In general, captures per trap and per day are between 1 and 3.


Vineyard in la rioja



Necessary material


Pheromones and traps

An ECONEX WHITE TRIANGULAR without sheets or ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR trap and a pheromone diffuser ECONEX LOBESIA BOTRANA 2 MG 60 DAYS.

The ECONEX WHITE TRIANGULAR without sheets trap is activated by placing an ECONEX SHEET FOR TRIANGULAR on its base. The sheet is impregnated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, without solvents, in which the insects are trapped. The ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR está recubierta en su cara interior por una película de adhesivo de contacto, sin disolventes, para la retención de los insectos.

Both traps stand out because they are easy to use, and remain operative until the pheromone runs out or the sticky sheet (adhesive surface) is saturated. The pheromone diffuser is placed inside the trap on the sticky sheet (adhesive surface).

ECONEX LOBESIA BOTRANA 2 MG 60 DAYS

ECONEX LOBESIA BOTRANA 2 MG 60 DAYS
Sexual pheromone diffuser of the species Lobesia botrana to attract males, with a duration of 60 days in normal field conditions.

Code: UIPHOVA017

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ECONEX FOLDING WHITE TRIANGULAR WITHOUT SHEETS

ECONEX FOLDING WHITE TRIANGULAR WITHOUT SHEETS
28x20x11 cm, hanger included.

Code: UIPFETA273
OMDF register number (Ministry of Agriculture of Spain): 064/2014

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ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR

ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR

Code: UIPFETA242

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ECONEX SHEET FOR TRIANGULAR 1 UNIT

ECONEX SHEET FOR TRIANGULAR 1 UNIT
Sticky sheet of 20 x 19 cm.

Code: UIPFETA248
OMDF register number (Ministry of Agriculture of Spain): 048/2024

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Factors that influence in the number of traps needed

The pest population, the bordering crops, the level of control required, etc.

One important factor is the size of the crops. In small and irregular crops, a greater number of traps are required than in larger and more uniform plots.

Another important factor is the distance between plots that have Lobesia botrana. In cases like this, the borders of the plots must be reinforced, so it could be necessary to place up to 20 traps per hectare or even more for mass trapping.


Storing the diffusers

The diffusers must be stored in their original packaging in a cool and dry place and separated from food and drinks.

To preserve the diffusers for long periods of time, it is recommended to keep them in the refrigerator at 4 o C in which case they will last for 2 years. Or they can be kept in the freezer at -20 o C for 4 years.


Diffuser packaging


ECONEX LOBESIA BOTRANA 2 MG 60 DAYS

Corrugated cardboard box of 400 units (20 packs of 20 units).
Box size: 0.32 x 0.24 x 0.22 m (length x width x height).
Box weight: 1.5 kg.

Pack of 20 units



Pack of 20 units
Includes a product information leaflet


Box of 400 units

Box of 400 units.
(20 packs x 20 units)


Trap packaging



ECONEX FOLDING WHITE TRIANGULAR WITHOUT SHEETS

Corrugated cardboard box of 150 units.
Box size: 0.60 x 0.40 x 0.35 m (length x width x height).
Box weight: 10.60 kg.
Number of boxes per pallet: 20
Measurements of the pallet: 1.20 x 0.80 x 1.95 m (length x width x height).
Weight of the pallet: 222 kg.

Box of 150 units

Box of 150 units.


ECONEX SHEET FOR TRIANGULAR 1 UNIT.

CCorrugated cardboard box of 500 units.
Box size: 0.42 x 0.29 x 0.21 m (length x width x height).
Box weight: 10.75 kg.
Number of boxes per pallet: 50
Measurements of the pallet: 1.10 x 1.00 x 1.25 m (length x width x height).
Weight of the pallet: 545 kg.

Box of 500 units

Box of 500 units.


ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR

Corrugated cardboard box of 250 units.
Box size: 0,42 x 0,29 x 0,21 m (length x width x height).
Box weight: 13,10 kg.
Number of boxes per pallet: 50
Measurements of the pallet: 1.10 x 1.00 x 1.25 m (length x width x height).
Weight of the pallet: 665 kg.

Box of 250 units

Box of 250 units


Recommended information:


ECONEX LOBESIA BOTRANA 2 MG 60 DAYS LEAFLET

The leaflet can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking on the image.

ECONEX LOBESIA BOTRANA 2 MG 60 DAYS LEAFLET


ECONEX LEARNING CENTER

ECONEX puts at your disposal the first open knowledge center that brings together everything necessary to implement pest biocontrol in your crops. We have developed different types of resources to share with you the knowledge we have acquired during our more than 38 years of experience. Each of them is designed to respond, in the best possible way, to different questions related to pheromones, attractants, repellents and insect traps.

To access ECONEX LEARNING CENTER click on the image.

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