Observations on the biology and risk of grape moths in Piemonte

During the period 1979–1985 a survey on the presence of grape vine moths was carried on by pheromone traps in a great viticultural aera of Piemonte. The research has proved that: Lobesia botrana is the vine moth mostly widespread while Eupoecilia ambiguella was found rare and in cooler environments mainly. Grape vine moths’ presence is greatly different according to viticultural zones’ features. Moth growth stages are changeable in the years according to climatic conditions, temperatures mainly, and vines development stages. The vine moth risk is rather different from one place to another and may be changeable as well in adjoining vineyards. Training systems as pergola are more suitable for moths development in comparison with trellis which, in the shade side, are normally more affected by the moths. High temperatures and low humidity conditions may affect larvae survival more than eggs hatching. Overwintering chrysalids parasitism is up to 12% and done by Hymenoptera Ichnemonidae and Braconidae. Efforts in order to improve the knowledge of grape moth risk in the different viticultural areas should continue.