Moths

moths, the larval stages of one or more small leafroller (tortricid) moth species damage grapes in almost all wine-growing regions of the world. Despite the name, most of these species do not ‘roll leaves’ but mainly feed on flowers and fruit. In Europe the main species are the European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana), also known as eudemis, and the vine moth (Eupoecilia ambiguella), also known as cochylis, with occasional outbreaks of the grape tortrix (Argyrotaenia ljungiana), and the long palped tortrix (Sparganothis pilleriana); in North America the grape berry moth (Paralobesia viteana) and the orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia citrana); in Australia the light brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana) and in New Zealand the grapevine moth (Phalaenoides glycine). Most of these species can also develop on other (wild) host plants around the vineyard and transfer to the vines.