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Figure 1. World distribution of L. botrana
adapted from Distribution Maps of Pests
(CIE 1974), with additions of findings
reported later.
Movement of fruit, personnel, and
machinery, as well as natural dispersal
and the climatic suitability of various
regions of California, make this pest a
serious threat to other areas of the state.
Following its detection, a coalition
of agencies — the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, California Department of
Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and
Napa County Agricultural Commissioner
— deployed 248 pheromonebaited
traps in Napa County to aid in
delimiting L. botrana populations.
These traps were monitored from
October 7 to October 26, 2009, during
which time six male moths were collected.
The low number is presumably
the result of the population age (lateinstar
larvae to overwintering pupae)
when the traps were deployed.
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Lucia G. Varela,
Rhonda J. Smith,
Monica L. Cooper,
Richard W. Hoenisch,
University of California
uropean grapevine moth,
Lobesia botrana, has recently
been found for the first time in
the United States. This moth
belongs to the family Tortricidae.
Unlike other tortricid moths that are
grapevine pests, such as the orange
tortrix (Argyrotaenia franciscana) and
omnivorous leafroller (Platynota stultana),
European grapevine moth larvae
do not roll or feed on leaves —
they feed on flower parts and inside
the berries.
In Europe this moth also has the
common names berry and vine moth;
these names are shared with similar
species worldwide including the eastern
U.S. It is important to verify the
scientific name L. botrana when
searching the literature for information
on this pest.
Situation in Napa County
In mid-September 2009, the first
report of the European grapevine moth
in North America was confirmed in
Napa County, CA. Based on available
data at the end of 2009, geographic distribution
within the state of California
(at press time) is considered to be limited
to
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Napa County. The greatest number
of confirmed specimens has been
collected in the Oakville and Rutherford
American Viticultural Areas, although
an isolated population has also been
located east of the town of Napa.
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European grapevine moth female — photo
Jack Kelly Clark, courtesy of UC Statewide
IPM Program
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European grapevine larva with dark
border on rear edge of prothoracic shield
— photo Jack Kelly Clark, courtesy of UC
Statewide IPM Program.
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