Seasonal flight activity of the grape berry moth, Lobesia botrana Den. and Schiff. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Sisakht region, Iran

Grape berry moth, Lobesia botrana Den. and Schiff. is one of the most important pests of grape vine in most parts of the country. Losses caused by larval feeding lead to disrupted plant activities, reduction in flower buds and ultimately decreased quality and quantity of the crop. In order to study seasonal flight activity of L. botrana and to determine spraying time, experiments were conducted for two consecutive years at two different orchards in Sisakht region in 2008-2009. The seasonal flight of L. botrana was investigated by using pheromone traps and collecting samples from eggs, larva and pupa stages of the pest. The results showed that L. botrana has three generations with an incomplete 4th in the region. Damage of first and fourth generation was very low. The grape vine fruits were mainly damaged by the second and third generation of L. botrana that happened about ten days after the adult emergency.

Lobesia botrana, flight activity, population dynamics, pheromone traps, spraying