Efficacy of Trichogramma evanescens in controlling the grape berry moth Lobesia botrana in grape farms in Egypt

Abstract

The present work was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Trichogramma evanescens (Westwood) in controlling the grape berry moth Lobesia botrana (Schiff) in two grape farms, in El-Beheira and El-Gharbia Governorates, northern Egypt during 2004 and 2005 seasons. T. evanescens was mass produced on Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) eggs in the National Research Centre in Egypt. The horizontal and vertical searching activity of T. evanescens was studied to determine the proper way of distributing the Trichogramma cards in vineyards. Field experiments were also conducted to evaluate T. evanescens efficacy to control L. botrana on a large scale. Parasitism by T. evanescens on L. botrana eggs was greatly affected with the horizontal or vertical distance from the release points as well as with the rate of release. Parasitism reached over 97% and the percentage of reduction in damage caused by the pest reached 96.8% in treated plots. A significant increase in the crop was achieved in treated plots. T. evanescens could be a potential candidate for biological control of the grape moth in vineyards.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Lobesia botrana Den. & Schiff. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The tortricid moth Lobesia botrana is considered to be an important pest of the cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera, Vitaceae). It feeds on young flower buds and young fruits, and is the primary vector of the ‘noble mould’ fungus (Botrytis cinerea). In order to study the population dynamics and genetic structure of this species in space and time, we developed seven polymorphic microsatellite markers (three to 12 alleles). Although the presence of null alleles is suspected, these polymorphic loci are likely to provide information on the population genetics of L. botrana, and could help in the development of an efficient control strategy against this pest.     

Comparison Between the Control Efficacy of Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and Two Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal Strains Against Grapevine Moth ( Lobesia botrana Den. & Schiff.), Depending on Their Release Density

In the first generation of the grape moth Lobesia botrana, Trichogramma evanescens spread to a greater extent than Trichogramma cacoeciae and parasitized most of the grape moth eggs. Reduction of damage to grapes was improved by doubling the number of T. evanescens release points in the first and second generations. In the second generation of the grape moth, T. cacoeciae was more efficient than T. evanescens . The highest proportion of individuals belonging to the reared and natural T. cacoeciae strains were found in the plot in which they were initially released. The total number of individuals emerging from parasitized eggs eggs was the same for each strain, which would suggest that neither predominated. Whichever T. cacoeciae strain considered, a density of 800 release points ha -1 did not induce greater parasitization than a density of 400 release points ha -1 .     

世界性害虫葡萄花翅小卷蛾入侵我国的风险分析

【目的】葡萄花翅小卷蛾是我国禁止进境的检疫性害虫,一旦入侵我国,将会给葡萄产业和林果业造成严重损失。开展葡萄花翅小卷蛾入侵我国的风险分析可为该虫的检疫和预警提供依据。【方法】介绍了葡萄花翅小卷蛾的形态特征和生物学特性,并参照通用的有害生物风险评估方法,从该虫在国内外的发生情况、潜在的经济危害性、受害作物的经济重要性、传播扩散的可能性及风险管理的难度等方面,对其入侵风险进行了定性和定量分析。【结果】葡萄花翅小卷蛾是一种对我国有很大潜在威胁的有害生物,其风险值为2.14,属高度危险性有害生物。【结论】建议新疆等口岸比较多的省、自治区口岸检疫部门加强对该害虫的检疫力度,杜绝其传入我国。     

Inconsistent effects of local and landscape factors on two key pests in Israeli vineyards

An ecoinformatics approach was used to test how two noxious species in grapevines with varying host preferences and movement characteristics: the European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana), and a parasitic fungus, the grape powdery mildew (Uncinula necator), are affected by local and landscape variables. Data were collected from 202 vineyards during four seasons: 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017 and analysed using generalized mixed models. We hypothesized that the European grapevine moth would be affected most by the landscape variables, while the grape powdery mildew would be affected most by local ones. We found that the number of sprayings during the season was an important variable explaining variation in infestation levels between vineyards for both species. At the landscape scale, we found larger variations in the relationship between the studied variables and the two pests, but both were also affected by the surrounding land use including areas of deciduous orchards. Understanding the factors that affect the occurrence of various pests in the same environment might improve farmers' decision-making.     

Larval food source promotes cyclic seasonal variation in polyandry in the moth Lobesia botrana

In Mediterranean vineyards the European grapevine moth, Lobesiabotrana, usually completes three non-overlapping larval generationsper year. Larvae feed on inflorescences and unripe or ripe grapes.Previous work has shown that the larval food source has a hugeeffect on adult size and fitness. We investigated if larvalfood also affects the propensity of females to mate polyandrously.Levels of polyandry were monitored with baited traps in a vineyardfor two years and then compared with data from laboratory trialsusing vine-reared individuals. In the field, polyandry levelsfollowed a cyclic annual pattern associated with the larvalfood source. Large females that fed on ripe grapes exhibitedsignificantly higher levels of polyandry than smaller femalesthat fed on inflorescences. Females that fed on unripe grapesshowed intermediate levels of remating. Polyandry also tendedto increase later in each flight. Laboratory trials confirmeda direct effect of larval feeding on levels of polyandry. Overall,these results showed that the seasonal variation in polyandryexhibited by L. botrana in the field occurs, at least in part,because of food-derived changes regulating female size. Resultsalso suggested that larval feeding could shape sexual size dimorphismand polyandry levels. Larval nutrition should therefore be consideredas an important ecological factor by those studying the evolutionarysignificance of polyandry and sperm competition in the Lepidoptera.     

Olfactory and gustatory behaviour by larvae of shape Lobesia botrana in response to shape Botrytis cinerea

In vineyards, larvae of Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Botrytis cinerea (Persoon: Fries) often occur together. This study was carried out to establish whether first instar larvae are attracted by the fungus. Olfactory and gustatory responses of larvae to the fungus were investigated on grape berry clusters (Vitis vinifera) and in two types of olfactometer. In clusters infected partly by B. cinerea, 82% of first instar larvae settled where berries had been infected. In the olfactometers, first instar larvae detected and discriminated between two tested foods. They significantly preferred synthetic media or grape berries (cv., 'Alphonse Lavallée' or 'Cabernet Sauvignon') infected with B. cinerea to non-infected controls. The olfactory response led to 62.2% to 72.6% of the first instar larvae attracted by the fungus and the association of olfactory with gustatory responses resulted in similar rates (64.1% to 81.6%). So, the larvae were most attracted by synthetic media or grape berries infected by the fungus as compared to the controls. Olfaction appears to be the main sense involved in this attraction process.     

Physiological factors regulating polyandry in Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Abstract. The effects of several physiological factors related to female multiple mating in the monandrous Lobesia botrana Denis and Schiffermuller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) were studied under laboratory conditions. Polyandry was assessed observing the induction of re-calling in previously once-mated females. Female age at first mating had no effect on induction of re-calling during practically the whole of the female lifetime, but in older females it was significantly lower. The percentage of re-calling was negatively correlated with the volume of the spermatophore received, ranging from ≅ 23% with the largest spermatophores to ≅ 75% with the smallest ones. Furthermore, the smaller the spermatophore volume, the earlier the re-calling was induced, significantly reducing die female refractory period after the first mating. Heavy females showed a significantly higher rate of re-calling (52.8%) than light ones (37.0%), but no differences were observed when females received only small spermatophores. This finding was explained by die allometric relationship between me female weight and the size of its reproductive system that affects relative replenishment by the spermatophore. Females with a supply of water displayed a significantly higher rate of re-calling (41.2%) than control females (22.8%), highlighting the effect of adult feeding (or drinking) status on the re-calling behaviour. The short-distance presence of virgin males with once-mated females promoted a re-calling rate (and subsequent matings) close to 37%, significantly higher than that of isolated females (20%). It is concluded mat re-calling and polyandry in L. botrana are controlled, as expected, by a number of mating-derived stimuli, but also to a great extent by other physiological stimuli unrelated to mating. The reproductive strategies in relation to polyandry and the mechanisms controlling female sexual inhibition are discussed.