The European grapevine moth's [Lobesia botrana Denis & Schiffermüller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)] adult population dynamics in Midyat Vineyards

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the first appearance of the adults of the European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana Denis & Schiffermüller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)], the period when they are active in nature, their population fluctuation and generation number in this period in the vineyards of the Midyat district of Mardin province. The study was carried out in vineyards having an unregistered grape variety, Mazruni which is the most common grape in Midyat, in 2014 and 2015. The results indicated that the population of the pest was high in both years and adults of the moths were encountered in pheromone traps in early April. The pest gives three generations and generally forms three or four peaks in the grape vegetation period and these peaks coincide with the flowering period (May), the berry (chickpea size) period (June-July), the sweetening period of the grains (July-August), and the sweetening-harvest period (September), respectively. The pest remains active in vineyards for approximately seven months, thereafter overwinters between late October and early November. The results obtained provide essential information that helps pest control to be carried out at the appropriate time.