Resurgence of minor pests following the implementation of mating disruption against "Lobesia botrana" (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) in Sherry vineyards (Spain)

Abstract

The implementation of the mating disruption technique against the grape berry moth, Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermuller) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae), in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Sherry vineyards (Andalusia, Southwestern Spain) reduced the number of chemical treatments required to manage this serious pest. In order to verify the long term consequences of this type of management on the secondary pests of vineyards, a study was carried out over nine years to compare the population levels of four phytophagous insect species ( Altica ampelophaga, Planococcus citri , Jacobiasca lybica , Aphis gossypii ) in plots where L. botrana was managed with conventional chemical treatments or using mating disruption. Field data on secondary pests were collected on randomly chosen vines at different times on different plant organs such as leaves, shoots and bunches, depending on the type of pest, according to the ATRIA procedure (Andalusian IPM procedure). Results showed a significant increase of grapevine infestation by all four secondary pest species in the plots managed with grape berry moth mating disruption. These findings represented a limitation for the implementation of this technique in Andalusian vineyards.