Lobesia

Guenée, 1845

Species Guides

Lobesia botrana(European grapevine moth)
Lobesia spiraeae

Lobesia is a of tortricid moths in the Olethreutinae. The genus includes several , with Lobesia botrana (European grapevine moth) being the most economically significant and well-studied. Species in this genus are primarily associated with feeding on grapevines and related plants, with larvae causing damage to fruits and inflorescences. Some species have been documented as pests in viticulture regions outside their native ranges.

Lobesia botrana by (c) Adrien Jailloux, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adrien Jailloux. Used under a CC-BY license.

Lobesia clavosa by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Lobesia atrata by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lobesia: //loʊˈbiːziə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Habitat

Vineyards and areas with plants in the Vitaceae, Thymelaeaceae, and Ranunculaceae. Some utilize wild host plants including Daphne gnidium and Clematis species in natural and semi-natural .

Distribution

Native to Europe, with introductions to North America (California, eradicated 2016), South America (Argentina, Chile), and parts of Africa and the Middle East. Present across Mediterranean regions, Central Asia, and extending to parts of northern Europe.

Diet

Larvae feed on developing fruits and inflorescences. Documented plants include Vitis vinifera (grapevine), Daphne gnidium (spurge flax), Clematis , and Olea europaea (olive). during larval stage with host plant quality affecting subsequent development.

Host Associations

Vitis vinifera - larval food plantprimary ; fruits and inflorescences consumed
Daphne gnidium - larval food plantwild plant in natural
Clematis - larval food plantalternative
Olea europaea - larval food plantolive inflorescences support faster larval development than grapevine in some conditions
Goniozus legneri - native in Argentina; low quality relationship
Campoplex capitator - most common larval in European vineyards
Trichogramma cacoeciae - ; plant of larval stage affects rates
Bracon admotus - idiobiont ectoparasitoid from Braconinae
Habrobracon concolorans - idiobiont ectoparasitoid
Habrobracon hebetor - idiobiont ectoparasitoid
Habrobracon pillerianae - idiobiont ectoparasitoid; new record for Western Europe

Life Cycle

Complete with , larval, pupal, and stages. Larval development rate varies with plant and temperature. On olive inflorescences, larval development is significantly faster than on grapevine inflorescences of similar developmental stage. Pupae may be heavier on olive than on vine hosts. Multiple per year in favorable climates.

Behavior

Female utilize plant volatiles for oviposition decisions. In laboratory two-choice tests, vine inflorescences are preferred over olive inflorescences and leaves for oviposition. Larvae feed within grape clusters, creating silk webbing. techniques have been employed as a management strategy. Larvae demonstrate susceptibility to high temperatures and low humidity, with significant mortality of at 40°C and 60% relative humidity, and of newly hatched larvae at 37°C.

Ecological Role

Herbivore; larval feeding on fruits and inflorescences. Serves as for multiple in Braconidae, Bethylidae, and Ichneumonidae. Larval feeding damage can facilitate secondary fungal , particularly Botrytis cinerea.

Human Relevance

Major pest of viticulture causing direct damage to grape yields and indirect losses through fungal entry. Subject to successful program in California (2009-2016) using integrated approach including , , regulations, and extensive monitoring. Management strategies include bunch-zone leaf removal, which increases larval and mortality through elevated temperatures and reduced humidity. programs have evaluated native and introduced with varying success.

Similar Taxa

Cydia pomonellaBoth are tortricid pests of fruit crops with similar larval feeding habits; distinguished by plant association and morphological characters
Ectomyelois ceratoniaeOverlapping distribution and shared (e.g., Goniozus legneri); distinguished by plant range and larval

More Details

Invasion biology

Lobesia botrana spread in California was facilitated by human-aided transport along transportation corridors, with clustered in 'hot spots' larger than the 's natural range. success attributed to early detection, rapid response, and extensive data gathering on occurrence and abundance.

Climate sensitivity

Microclimate modification through agricultural practices (bunch-zone leaf removal) can significantly reduce by exposing and larvae to lethal temperatures. Climate warming may reduce in some regions but potentially shift distribution northward.

Host plant quality effects

Larval plant affects subsequent : females reared on olive produce more and higher multiplication rates than those reared on grapevine, despite oviposition preference for grapevine.