botrana

Botrana is the common name used for Lobesia botrana, the European grapevine moth. It is a small moth in the family Tortricidae and is a major pest of grapevines, with larvae that feed on grape berries and clusters, causing direct fruit damage and predisposing fruit to fungal infections.

Distribution and status: Native to southern Europe, botrana has spread to parts of North Africa, the Middle East, and other regions with grape production. It has been introduced to several countries outside its native range and is often treated as a quarantine pest because of potential losses in yield and wine quality. Its presence is typically managed within regional vineyard protection programs.

Biology and life cycle: The species overwinters as pupae in crevices and under bark or in grape canopies. In spring, adults emerge, mate, and females lay eggs on or near grape clusters. Eggs hatch into larvae that bore into berries, feeding on the pulp and seeds. After feeding, larvae exit to pupate, and the cycle may repeat multiple times per year. In warm climates, several generations (often three to five) can occur annually, while cooler areas may have fewer generations.

Impact and host range: Botrana primarily attacks cultivated grapevines (Vitis vinifera) but can also infest related Vitis species. Damage includes berry shriveling, sunken lesions, and increased susceptibility of fruit to secondary infections such as Botrytis cinerea, reducing yield and fruit quality.

Management: Integrated pest management relies on monitoring with pheromone traps, timely application of selective insecticides, and cultural practices such as sanitation to remove infested fruit. Biological controls, including Bacillus thuringiensis products and granuloviruses specific to Lobesia botrana (LbGV or related agents), are used in some programs, often in combination with mating disruption and resistant cropping practices.