European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana Part I: Biology and ecology

Abstract

Though the European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) can feed on more than forty plant species, grapevine is the preferred crop worldwide. This moth is a western palearctic species that has recently spread to Chile, Argentina, and California. The possible further expansion in other regions of the Americas is greatly feared and should be monitored carefully in the near future. In this framework, we provide an updated review of the current knowledge on its taxonomy, morphology, biology, ecology, genomics, geographic distribution, and invasiveness. Then, in the last section, we develop a research agenda pointing out significant challenges for future investigations on bio-ecology and invasion biology, which are tightly connected with the prevention and management strategies.

Spectral sensitivity of retinal photoreceptors of tortricid moths is not tuned to diel activity period

“…As in other phytophagous lepidopterans, adults of these species do not feed because they rely on larval nutritional reserves (Wäckers et al, 2007;Amat et al, 2022). Consequently, reports of flower visiting are occasional and only in L. botrana (Benelli et al, 2023a), and so detecting flower cues does not appear to be essential to them. However, they use vision to fly and to navigate in odour plumes (Navarro-Roldán et al, 2019), and probably to recognize and land on the host plants.…”

Arthropods in the spotlight – identifying predators of vineyard pest insects with infrared photography

“…For example, prey may be more visible and clustered than under natural conditions and pest females may be able to avoid sites with high predation risk, e.g., by detecting chemical cues of predators (Dicke & Grostal, 2001). For instance, the eggs of L. botrana are usually laid solitarily and the pupae, covered by a silky cocoon, are hidden in grape bunches and leaves, on the ground, or between the bark (Benelli et al, 2023). Further, the artificial immobilisation of prey may favour attacks by arthropods which are naturally not able to overpower this type of prey, possibly leading to overestimation of natural pest control potential (Zou et al, 2017;Gardarin et al, 2023).…”

“…The European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana Denis & Schiffermüller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is one of the major grapevine pests in Europe and beyond (Benelli et al, 2023). Larvae feed on inflorescences and grape berries.…”

Simultaneous mating disruption of two moth pests of the vineyard (Lobesia botrana and Cryptoblabes gnidiella) through a biodegradable sex pheromone dispenser

“…In the vineyard context, the European Grapevine moth (EGVM) Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) represents one of the most frequent and harmful pest species of grapevine in the Mediterranean basin, as well as in many other countries worldwide (Cooper et al 2014 ; Benelli et al 2023b ; Martinez-Sañudo et al 2013 ; Reineke and Thiéry 2016 ; Thiéry et al 2018 ). Despite the increasing number of management strategies against EGVM, this is still among the key injurious pests in Central Europe and Mediterranean grape-growing areas.…”