Insights in genetic diversity of German and Italian grape berry moth (Eupoecilia ambiguella) populations using novel microsatellite markers

The grape berry moth Eupoecilia ambiguella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is causing significant damage to grape berries, however, little is known on population genetics of this lepidopteran pest insect, hindered so far by the lack of suitable molecular markers. Here we report on the development of ten microsatellite markers of which six were used to characterise 21 E. ambiguella populations obtained from two viticultural regions in Germany and Italy. Moths were sampled during two subsequent generations (flights) in the same vineyard as well as in vineyards surrounded by different landscape types. German and Italian populations were genetically differentiated and a significant isolation by distance was evident. No significant divergence was observed among the populations from first or second flight moths, however, inbreeding was higher in first than in second flight populations. Moreover, inbreeding was influenced by habitat composition and complexity of landscape around vineyards, being positively associated with the percentage of area covered by grapevine. Population genetics of E. ambiguella could thus be affected by the presence of alternative host plants in viticultural landscapes, which is important in the light of both insecticide resistance management and sustainable pest management.

Tortrix Moths (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) of Grafskiy Park and agrobiostation of M. Gogol Nizhyn State University (Chernigiv region, Ukraine)

An annotated list of tortricid moths (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) of the Grafsky Park and the agrobiostation of the Nizhyn Mykola Gogol State University is given for the first time. In total, from 1987 to 2018, 95 species of 13 tribes were identified in the studied area: Tortricini – 6 species, Cochylini – 12 species, Cnephasiini – 7 species, Archipini – 12 species, Sparganothini – 1 species, Endotheniini – 4 species, Bactrini – 2 species, Olethreutini – 12 species, Lobesiini – 1 species, Enarmoniini – 6 species, Eucosmini – 22 species and Grapholitini – 9 species. It is about 40% of the species diversity of tortricid moths of Chernihiv region known now, and about 17% of the fauna of Ukraine. The distribution and biology of the recorded species are analized. Herein 54 species of tortricid moths are recorded for Chernihiv region for the first time, 34 species (Tortrix viridana, Aleimma loeflingiana, Acleris holmiana, A. forsskaleana, Eupoecilia ambiguella, Archips podana, A. crataegana, A. xylosteana, Choristoneura diversana, Argyrotaenia ljungiana, Ptycholoma lecheana, Pandemis corylana, P. cerasana, P. heparana, Syndemis musculana, Adoxophyes orana, Apotomis betuletana, Orthotaenia undulana, Hedya salicella, H. nubiferana, H. pruniana, H. ochroleucana, Ancylis achatana, A. mitterbacheriana, Spilonota ocellana, Gibberifera simplana, Epinotia nisella, Notocelia uddmanniana, Cydia pomonella, C. pyrivora, C. fagiglandana, C. splendana, C. amplana, Grapholita funebrana) are known as pests of deciduous trees and 4 species (Piniphila bifasciana, Gravitarmata margarotana, Rhyacionia buoliana, Cydia strobilella) are known as pests of coniferous trees.

The Relationship between Polarized Moonlight and the Number of Pest Microlepidoptera Specimens Caught in Pheromone Traps

Pheromone traps were deployed in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County (Hungary) between 1982 and 1988, in 1990 and also between 1993 and 2013. These traps attracted 8 Microlepidoptera species:Phyllonorycter blancardella, P. corylifoliella,Anarsia lineatella,Eupoecilia ambiguella,Lobesia botrana,Grapholita funebrana,G. molestaandCydia pomonella. We examined the trapping data of these species in the context of lunar phases and polarized moonlight. Catches of the European Vine Moth (Lobesia botrana) and the Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella) were higher in the First Quarter, whereas catches of Peach Twig Borer (Anarsia lineatella), Vine Moth (Eupoecilia ambiguella), Plum Fruit Moth (Grapholita funebrana) and Oriental Fruit Moth (Grapholita molesta) were larger in the Last Quarter. Catches of the other two species, the Spotted Tentiform Leafminer (Phyllonorycter blancardella) and Hawthorn Red Midget Moth (P. corylifoliella), were higher in both the First and Last Quarters. When using pheromone traps, insects do not fly to a light source, so moonlight does not modify either the catching distance or flight activity. However, at high levels of polarized moonlight, pheromone trap catches will increase, as in the case of light-trap catches. The results are comprehensible when one considers that the target species can fly both during the daytime and also at night.

Effect of Applications of Isonet L Plus, the Controlled-Release Dispenser in the Protection of Vineyards Against Lobesia Botrana and Eupoecilia Ambiguella in the Southern Slovakia

The grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) and the grape berry moth (Eupoecilia ambiguella) are the main pests in southern Slovakia vineyards. While L. botrana represents the most common species in the vineyards, E. ambiguella exists in some sites only. In this study we monitored the occurrence and dynamics of the flights of the grapevine moth and the grape berry moth in the vineyard area Dvory nad Žitavou. The size of the examined area was 60 ha in 2008 and 90 ha in 2009. On these areas, we used pheromone traps type Deltastop LB for grapevine moth and Deltastop EA for grape berry moth. To control the movement of the pests, a set of three pheromone traps for each type was used in observation points which were placed at least 50 m from each other. Monitoring was carried out regularly every second to third day. The control area was located in immediate vicinity of the area. As a threshold, we consider 20 moths for 2 days at an average of three pheromone traps. In 2008, we recorded the first, second and third generation of Lobesia botrana and only the second generation of Eupoecilia ambiguella. In 2009, we saw all three generations for both types of moths. We also examined effectiveness of the protection method of grapevine based on the mating disruption using pheromone dispensers type ISONET L plus. Just before the anticipated start of swarming we distributed 420 dispensers/ha evenly over the entire vineyard; on the edges of the treated area, the basic dose of dispensers i.e. 500 pieces/ha was left. To assess the effectiveness of the product ISONET L plus in 2008 we reached more than 70% efficiency in the border plots, inside 96%. We achieved 69% efficiency in 2009. Based on the results it is be clear that the long-term use of this method of protection has a positive impact in reducing the population of moth. It is suitable for use in an integrated and biological protective system against Lobesia botrana and Eupoecilia ambiguella.