A grapevine leafminer Antispila oinophylla van Nieukerken & Wagner, sp. n., is described both from eastern North America (type locality: Georgia) and as a new important invader in North Italian vineyards (Trentino and Veneto Region) since 2006. The species is closely related to, and previously confused with Antispila ampelopsifoliella Chambers, 1874, a species feeding on Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planchon., and both are placed in an informal Antispila ampelopsifoliella group. Wing pattern, genitalia, and DNA barcode data all confirm the conspecificity of native North American populations and Italian populations. COI barcodes differ by only 0–1.23%, indicating that the Italian populations are recently established from eastern North America. The new species feeds on various wild Vitis species in North America, on cultivated Vitis vinifera L. in Italy, and also on Parthenocissus quinquefolia in Italy. North American Antispila feeding on Parthenocissus include at least two other species, one of which is Antispila ampelopsifoliella. Morphology and biology of the new species are contrasted with those of North American Antispila Hübner, 1825 species and European Holocacista rivillei (Stainton, 1855). The source population of the introduction is unknown, but cases with larvae or pupae, attached to imported plants, are a likely possibility. DNA barcodes of the three European grapevine leafminers and those of all examined Heliozelidae are highly diagnostic. North American Vitaceae-feeding Antispila form two species complexes and include several as yet unnamed taxa. The identity of three out of the four previously described North American Vitaceae-feeding species cannot be unequivocally determined without further revision, but these are held to be different from Antispila oinophylla. In Italy the biology of Antispila oinophylla was studied in a vineyard in the Trento Province (Trentino-Alto Adige Region) in 2008 and 2009. Mature larvae overwinter inside their cases, fixed to vine trunks or training stakes. The first generation flies in June. An additional generation occurs from mid-August onwards. The impact of the pest in this vineyard was significant with more than 90% of leaves infested in mid-summer. Since the initial discovery in 2006, the pest spread to several additional Italian provinces, in 2010 the incidence of infestation was locally high in commercial vineyards. Preliminary phylogenetic analyses suggest that Antispila is paraphyletic, and that the Antispila ampelopsifoliella group is related to Coptodisca Walsingham, 1895, Holocacista Walsingham & Durrant, 1909 and Antispilina Hering, 1941, all of which possess reduced wing venation. Vitaceae may be the ancestral hostplant family for modern Heliozelidae.

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Laboratory trials were carried out to test the side-effects of 29 pesticides on the predatory bug Orius laevigatus. To evaluate residual contact activity, nymphs of O. laevigatus were placed on treated Petri dishes and their mortality was assessed after 7 days. The fecundity of surviving females was also assessed. O. laevigatus adults were fed with eggs of Ephestia kuehniella treated with pesticides to assess the effect of pesticides by ingestion. Adult mortality and fecundity, as well as egg hatching were recorded. A number of pesticides had no significant effect on the survival and fecundity of O. laevigatus when exposed to pesticide residues by contact or by ingestion. Others appeared to be harmless by contact, but slightly toxic when ingested. Some pesticides showed to be moderately or highly toxic. These findings should be considered when releases of O. laevigatus are planned in agricultural systems. outdoor crops

A mating disruption approach using high densities of pheromone dispensers, has recently been proposed for controlling codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lep., Tortricidae). EcodianÒ CP dispensers, made of low-cost biodegradable material and easy to apply, were formulated with 10 mg of codlemone and placed at a rate of 1400-2000 dispensers/ha. Seasonal dispenser performance was evaluated using different methods. The release rate of new Ecodian dispensers, measured directly by solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME), was significantly higher than that of the standard monitoring lure. The release rate of field-aged dispensers decreased over time; it was comparable with that of the standard monitoring lure after 55-90 days of field exposure and significantly lower beyond. Electroantennographic (EAG) recordings showed that field-aged dispensers strongly stimulated virgin male mothsÕ antennae. Dispensers elicited close-range approaches in wind tunnel irrespective of their age. Traps baited with aged Ecodian CP dispensers captured males throughout the season. Our results demonstrate that Ecodian dispensers achieved a good level of activity and longevity over the season. Field trials carried out from 2002 to 2004 confirmed the efficacy of Ecodian CP dispensers for codling moth control, regardless of the size of the treated area. The potential of this strategy for the control of C. pomonella is discussed.

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