Biology and management of grape berry moth in North American vineyard ecosystems

Abstract

The grape berry moth, Paralobesia viteana (Clemens), is one of the most widespread and damaging insect pest of grapes in eastern North America. It was renamed from Endopiza viteana Clemens (Brown 2006). Larvae (Fig. 15.1c) of this pest bore into berries causing direct injury, reducing yield, and opening berries to opportunistic pathogens (Fig. 15.1d). Where this pest reaches high populations, berries may not be harvestable due to contamination by larvae or diseases that reduce fruit quality, forcing grape growers to leave heavily-infested regions of vineyards unharvested. In the past 50 years, prevention of damage and infestation by grape berry moth has been achieved primarily by the use of broad-spectrum insecticides, but increased restrictions on these chemicals in food crops and the risk of resistance to insecticides continues to stimulate the search for alternative control methods. This review includes the current status of knowledge about the biology of P. viteana and management strategies for its control. An earlier review of this pest and its management is provided by Dennehy et al. (1990a). We also refer readers to Ioriatti et al. (Chap. 14) for comparison with European species of berry-infesting Lepidoptera. In this chapter, we highlight future research opportunities that may improve the sustainability of vineyard integrated pest management programs while reducing crop damage from P. viteana.