Study of Biology Lobesia botrana Den. & Schiff. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Determination of Spraying Time in Vineyards of South‐West of Iran

Grape berry moth, Lobesia botrana Den. & Schiff. is one of the most important pests of grape vine in most parts of the country. Losses caused by larval feeding leads 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 Lobesia botrana and to determine spraying time, experiments were conducted for two consecutive years at two different orchards in Sissakht region in 1999-2000. The seasonal flight of Lobesia botrana was investigated by using pheromone traps and collecting samples from eggs, larva and pupa stages of the pest. The results showed that Lobesia botrana has three generations with an incomplete 4th in the region. Damage of first and forth generation is very low. The grape vine fruits can be mainly damaged by the second and third generation of Lobesia botrana that will happen about ten days after the adult emergency. Regarding to the results, spraying should be done during two weeks from 9th Lobesia botrana for the next year.

Lobesia botrana, Population dynamics, Pheromone traps, spraying