inFarm presents an experimental study dedicated to the new dispenser for sexual disorientation in Lobesia botrana, during Giornate Fitopqtologiche in Bologna from 12 to 15 March 2024.
The work carried out will be presented through a poster and a speech given by Prof. Giacinto Salvatore Germinara in the space dedicated to sexual confusion during the Defence from Animal Attacks section.
The study was conducted in collaboration with Ag. Fitopatologico and Innovaricerca and presents the results of an experiment carried out to assess the efficacy of a new dispenser (Ecodian® LB) for the control of Lobesia botrana using the sexual disorientation technique.
Ecodian® LB consists of a pheromone diffuser thread made of biodegradable plastic (Mater-Bi®).
The grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) represents a serious problem for viticulture, especially in Emilia Romagna, particularly in the plain areas where Lambrusco or Trebbiano Romagnolo are mainly grown. In these environments, pest infestations are generally high, with attack percentages that can reach 100% of the bunches, causing serious losses in quality and quantity of production.
The techniques used to control moths do not always provide satisfactory results. An alternative to chemical control is the use of synthetic sexual pheromones.
In viticulture, the disorientation technique aims to inhibit mating by applying a greater number of low-dose pheromone dispensers, similar to that naturally emitted by females, in order to create ‘false trails‘. In this way the male specimens are attracted by the dispensers and distracted from their search for females.
The experiment conducted was aimed at gauging the efficacy of a new device, Ecodian® LB (currently being registered), for the sexual disorientation of the grapevine moth.
Ecodian LB®, produced by GEA, was assessed at two different dosages, comparing a test case treated with insecticides (company case) and an untreated and unconfused one (control).