European Grapevine Moth and Vitis vinifera L. Phenology in the Douro Region: (A)synchrony and Climate Scenarios

The European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana; Denis and Schiffermüller, 1775) is considered a key pest for grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) in the Douro Region, Portugal. The phenology of both the grapevine and the pest has changed in the last decades due to the increase in temperature. Here, we assess the potential impact of climate change on the (a)synchrony of both species. The results show that the phenological stages (budburst, flowering and veraison) undergo an advancement throughout the region (at an ~1 km resolution) under a climate change scenario (Representative Concentration Pathways, RCP8.5) for the period 2051–2080, with respect to the historic period (1989–2015). For cv. Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, the budburst advances up to 14 days, whereas for flowering and veraison the advancements are up to 10 days (mainly at low elevations along the Douro River). For the phenology of Lobesia botrana, earliness was also verified in the three flights (consequently there may be more generations per year), covering the entire region. Furthermore, the third flight advances further compared to the others. For both varieties, the interaction between the third flight (beginning and peak) and the veraison date is the most relevant modification under the future climate change scenario (RCP8.5, 2051–2080). The aforementioned outcomes from the phenology models help to better understand the possible shifts of both trophic levels in the region under future climate, giving insights into their future interactions.

Lobesia botrana: A Biological Control Approach with a Biopesticide Based on Entomopathogenic Fungi in the Winter Season in Chile

Lobesia botrana (Denis and Shiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is one of the main pests that affect the production and export of table grapes in Chile. Because this pest has quarantine status, the fruit must be fumigated with methyl bromide, which reduces the fruit’s export competitiveness in the destination market. In the present study, to help resolve this issue, six native entomopathogenic fungi were identified through multilocus analysis, including three Beauveria pseudobassiana and three Metarhizium robertsii. These fungi were evaluated in the laboratory to control L. botrana in its pupal stage in a silk cocoon and compared against a biological control product. Formulations with additional carbon sources improved the performance of the fungi. The treatments with outstanding performance contained the fungal strains B. pseudobassiana RGM 2184 and M. robertsii RGM 678. These strains were evaluated in the field during the winter season in two different regions of the country; the strains reached maximum efficacies of 80% and 88%, respectively, at 21 days post first application. Therefore, entomopathogenic fungi can contribute to reducing pupal populations in winter, thereby decreasing the moth population in spring–summer.

Real-Time Remote Sensing of the Lobesia botrana Moth Using a Wireless Acoustic Detection Sensor

This article presents a wireless sensor for pest detection, specifically the Lobesia botrana moth or vineyard moth. The wireless sensor consists of an acoustic-based detection of the sound generated by a flying Lobesia botrana moth. Once a Lobesia botrana moth is detected, the information about the time, geographical location of the sensor and the number of detection events is sent to a server that gathers the detection statistics in real-time. To detect the Lobesia botrana, its acoustic signal was previously characterized in a controlled environment, obtaining its power spectral density for the acoustic filter design. The sensor is tested in a controlled laboratory environment where the detection of the flying moths is successfully achieved in the presence of all types of environmental noises. Finally, the sensor is installed on a vineyard in a region where the moth has already been detected. The device is able to detect flying Lobesia botrana moths during its flying period, giving results that agree with traditional field traps.

Dual effects of entomopathogenic fungi on control of the pest Lobesia botrana and the pathogenic fungus Eutypella microtheca on grapevine

Background Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are the natural enemies of insect pests. Nevertheless, research on the use of EPF for simultaneous prevention of pest and disease agents on the same crop is limited. In this study, we explored the potential dual effects of three strains of the EPF Metarhizium anisopliae on the control of detrimental agents of Vitis vinifera L., including different developmental stages (larvae, pupae, and adult) of the insect pest Lobesia botrana and the phytopathogenic fungus Eutypella microtheca. Methods Laboratory pathogenicity trials were performed to examine the effects of the three M. anisopliae strains on the mortality rate of L. botrana. In addition, field trials were conducted to assess the biocontrol potential of one selected M. anisopliae strain on the larval stage of L. botrana. Moreover, inhibitory effects of the three EPF strains on E. microtheca growth were examined in vitro. Results All the M. anisopliae strains were highly effective, killing all stages of L. botrana as well as inhibiting the growth of E. microtheca. The in vitro mortality of larvae treated with the strains was over 75%, whereas that of treated pupae and adults was over 85%. The three EPF strains showed similar efficacy against larvae and adult stages; nevertheless, pupal mortality was observed to be strain dependent. Mortality of L. botrana larvae ranged from 64 to 91% at field conditions. Inhibition of E. microtheca growth reached 50% in comparison to the control. Conclusions Our study showed that M. anisopliae strains were highly effective in ensuring control of two different detrimental agents of V. vinifera L., providing new evidence to support the dual effects of entomopathogenic fungi.

Exploring the Use of Entomopathogenic Nematodes and the Natural Products Derived from Their Symbiotic Bacteria to Control the Grapevine Moth, Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The European grapevine moth (EGVM) Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a relevant pest in the Palearctic region vineyards and is present in the Americas. Their management using biological control agents and environmentally friendly biotechnical tools would reduce intensive pesticide use. The entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae are well-known virulent agents against arthropod pests thanks to symbiotic bacteria in the genera Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus (respectively) that produce natural products with insecticidal potential. Novel technological advances allow field applications of EPNs and those bioactive compounds as powerful bio-tools against aerial insect pests. This study aimed to determine the viability of four EPN species (Steinernema feltiae, S. carpocapsae, S. riojaense, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) as biological control agents against EGVM larval instars (L1, L3, and L5) and pupae. Additionally, the bioactive compounds from their four symbiotic bacteria (Xenorhabdus bovienii, X. nematophila, X. kozodoii, and Photorhabdus laumondii subsp. laumondii, respectively) were tested as unfiltered ferment (UF) and cell-free supernatant (CFS) against the EGVM larval instars L1 and L3. All of the EPN species showed the capability of killing EGVM during the larval and pupal stages, particularly S. carpocapsae (mortalities of ~50% for L1 and >75% for L3 and L5 in only two days), followed by efficacy by S. feltiae. Similarly, the bacterial bioactive compounds produced higher larval mortality at three days against L1 (>90%) than L3 (~50%), making the application of UF more virulent than the application of CFS. Our findings indicate that both steinernematid species and their symbiotic bacterial bioactive compounds could be considered for a novel agro-technological approach to control L. botrana in vineyards. Further research into co-formulation with adjuvants is required to expand their viability when implemented for aboveground grapevine application.

Development of chemoregulatory method for monitoring grape pests

В практике защиты растений одним из актуальных методов мониторинга насекомых является хеморегуляторный метод, к средствам которого относят феромоны, гормоны, аттрактанты, репелленты и т.д., предназначенные для выявления фитофагов и оценки уровня заселенности ими сельскохозяйственных культур. Цель исследований заключалась в проведении сравнительных испытаний новых и усовершенствованных феромонных ловушек и препаратов для мониторинга доминирующего вредителя винограда - гроздевой листовёртки ( Lobesia botrana Den. et Schiff.) и инвазийного карантинного вида - коричнево-мраморного клопа ( Halyomorpha halys Stаl.) на виноградниках Крыма. Работу проводили в условиях 2020 г. согласно методическим подходам, используемым в отечественной и международной практике энтомологических исследований на промышленных насаждениях основных зон виноградарства Крыма. Установлено, что при средней интенсивности лёта бабочек I генерации гроздевой листовёртки на винограднике сорта Каберне-Совиньон опытные феромонные ловушки типа «Дельта», «Ромб» и «Квадро» производства ФГБУ «ВНИИКР» показали близкие значения уловистости: в среднем 826-1042 экз./ловушку. Наиболее перспективной определена ловушка «Дельта». На фоне средней и низкой интенсивности лёта бабочек I-III генераций гроздевой листовёртки на виноградниках трех зон установлен одинаковый уровень биологической активности четырех феромонных препаратов производства АО «Щелково Агрохим» (разница 0,3-3,1 %) как на фольгапленовых диспенсерах (1,5 мг феромона), так и на трубчатых (0,8-3,0 мг феромона). Показан достаточный уровень эффективности фольгапленовых диспенсеров на протяжении четырех месяцев (снижение биологической активности 4-14 %). На фоне низкой численности коричнево-мраморного клопа на виноградниках установлена более высокая (в 5,2 раза) биологическая активность препарата с феромоном и аттрактантом синтеза АО «Щелково Агрохим» в сравнении с препаратом, содержащем только феромон. Использование этих феромонных препаратов в ловушках барьерного типа позволило впервые выявить новый карантинный вид клопа на участках двух зон виноградарства Крыма. One of the most relevant methods for monitoring insects in the practice of plant protection is the chemoregulatory method, the means of which are pheromones, hormones, attractants, repellents, etc., intended to identify phytophages and assess the level of population density on agricultural crops. The aim of the research was to carry out comparative tests of new and improved pheromone traps and preparations for monitoring the dominant grape pest - European grape moth ( Lobesia botrana Den. Et Schiff.) and the invasive quarantine species - brown marmorated stink bug ( Halyomorpha halys Stаl.) in the vineyards of Crimea. The work was carried out in the conditions of 2020 according to the methodological approaches used in national and international practices of entomological research on industrial plantations of the main viticulture zones of Crimea. It was found that with an average flight intensity of butterflies of European grape moth of the I generation in the vineyard of ‘Cabernet-Sauvignon’ cultivar, experimental pheromone traps of Delta, Romb and Quadro types produced by FSBI VNIIKR showed similar values of catching capacity: at the average rate of 826-1042 nos. / trap. Delta was defined as the most promising trap. Against the background of an average and low flight intensity of European grape moth butterflies of the I-III generations in the vineyards of three zones, similar level of biological activity of four pheromone preparations produced by JSC Shchelkovo Agrokhim (difference - 0.3-3.1%) was established on propylene foil (1, 5 mg of pheromone) and tube dispensers (0.8-3.0 mg of pheromone). A sufficient level of efficiency of propylene foil dispensers was shown during four months (a decrease in biological activity by 4-14%). Against the background of a low number of brown marmorated stink bugs in the vineyards, a higher (5.2 times) biological activity of the preparation with pheromone and attractant of JSC Shchelkovo Agrokhim production in comparison with the preparation containing only pheromone was established. Using of these pheromone preparations in barrier-type traps made it possible to reveal for the first time a new quarantine bug species in the plots of two Crimean viticultural zones.

Integrated Pest Management of Lobesia botrana with Microorganism in Vineyards: An Alternative for Clean Grapes Production

The moth Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is one of the principal pests of the grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.). His larvae feeds from grape, reducing production and increasing susceptibility to fungal infections. This makes it one of the most economically important pest insects in wine and table grape exporting countries. This chapter will describe the distribution, biology, and behavior of L. botrana regarding its host, the grapevine, along with its control via the use of natural enemies, entomopathogenic microorganisms, MD (mating disruption) and chemical control. Finally, we will describe an integrated management strategy based on monitoring, MD, and biological control using entomopathogenic microorganisms. This strategy could be useful as a basis for integrated pest control plans in various regions worldwide.

Additive and synergistic interactions of entomopathogenic fungi with Bacillus thuringiensis for the control of the European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Background The European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is currently the most damaging pest in many viticultural regions across the Mediterranean basin and elsewhere. Its feeding activity also enhances the development of secondary infections by Botrytis cinerea - and other fungi - to wine grapes. The gram-positive bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been reported to partially control larval populations of L. botrana, while it requires to be digested by the insect to cause infection. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are possibly capable of acting synergistically with Bt to increase its efficacy against insect pests. Results The hypothesis of synergy or antagonism between Bt and EPF for the control of L. botrana was tested in two bioassays: A) Insects fed on Bt diet and subsequently some groups were sprayed by conidia of Beauveria bassiana or Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, and B) Grapes were sprayed by Bt, or B. bassiana, or combination of the two, and then untreated insects were placed to feed on the grapes. In both bioassays, combination treatments performed better than single treatments, indicating additive action or synergy. The Bt and B. bassiana combination treatment (Bt diet for 30 h and then sprayed with conidia of B. bassiana) resulted in 91% larval mortality while the single Bt and B. bassiana treatments caused 28% and 34% mortality respectively. Such results indicated synergism. Combination treatment on grapes also caused significantly higher mortality on L. botrana larvae, compared to single treatments. The median lethal time (LT50) was estimated as 8.43 days for the single Bt treatment, 7.87 days for the single B. bassiana treatment and 6.3 days for the combination Bt + B. bassiana treatment. Conclusions Absence of antagonism as well as additive action or synergy were indicated by the results. Larval populations of the pest can be effectively controlled by using microbial biocontrol agents. Further research is needed to investigate the biotic and abiotic factors that affect interactions between insect hosts and entomopathogenic organisms. However, the entomopathogens used in the present study showed remarkable action and may be included parallelly in control strategies against vineyard pests.