Control of European Grapevine Moth- Lobesia botrana through Mating Disruption (Sexual Disorientation)

Since 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), through its involvement in the EU-funded initiatives European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) and EU4Business, has been providing valuable support to grape and wine producers in Georgia. This assistance primarily revolves around a series of comprehensive training sessions aimed at vineyard managers and agronomists. The focus of these training programs is to instill best agronomic practices and reduce the use of pesticides by implementing Integrated Pest Management.

A significant challenge faced by grape production in Georgia is the effective control of the European Grapevine Moth (Lobesia botrana). This destructive pest can decimate up to 40% of the harvest, also negatively impacting grape quality due to the emergence of botrytis-related issues. The economic ramifications of this pest are substantial, significantly affecting the profitability of vineyards.

Before the initiation of this project, wineries in Georgia resorted to spraying pesticides 3-4 times during the crop cycle to combat this pest. Unfortunately, these pesticides were often broad-spectrum and highly toxic, with significant environmental consequences. Even with chemical control measures, the estimated losses attributed to the pest's damage could reach as high as 20-25% of the harvest. Furthermore, the quality of the wine suffered due to oxidation processes triggered by the pest's damage, making the grapes susceptible to secondary infection by Botritis cinerea.

Before the initiation of this project, wineries in Georgia resorted to spraying pesticides 3-4 times during the crop cycle to combat this pest. Unfortunately, these pesticides were often broad-spectrum and highly toxic, with significant environmental consequences. Even with chemical control measures, the estimated losses attributed to the pest's damage could reach as high as 20-25% of the harvest. Furthermore, the quality of the wine suffered due to oxidation processes triggered by the pest's damage, making the grapes susceptible to secondary infection by Botritis cinerea.

Starting from 2021, FAO has been actively promoting Integrated Pest Management in Georgia. Since 2022, FAO has introduced a Mating Disruption technique to control Lobesia botrana, supporting a group of 11 wineries and grape producers who voluntarily participated in the initial year of implementation. These participants collectively manage 209 hectares of vineyards. FAO provided financial support covering half of the cost of pheromones, with the producers contributing the remainder. Crucially, FAO also offered technical expertise to ensure the correct use of these pheromones and monitored the pest throughout the entire production cycle, a critical aspect of successful pest control.

The project did not distribute pheromones equally among all vineyard producers. Small wineries and grape producers received 50% of the pheromones, while medium and large wineries received only 10%. Additionally, the project provided 100% of the pheromones to a few neighboring vineyards that were initially hesitant to participate. This was necessary to create vineyard blocks of at least 17 hectares, which is considered the minimum size required for the pheromones to be effective.

By the end of April 2022, pheromones had been deployed in six different locations across the regions of Mtskheta Mtianeti and Kakheti, covering 209 hectares and involving 11 grape producers. Key results achieved include:

A significant reduction in the number of chemical treatments, going from a minimum of four scheduled control sprayings to none with the Mating Disruption program. This translates to a reduction of approximately 4.5 kg/ha of pesticides, primarily Chlorpyrifos, a highly toxic pesticide.

Vineyard plots where the mating disruption was not implemented experienced estimated losses of up to 30% of the harvest, despite pesticide treatments. These treatments often failed due to improper timing or equipment calibration. An economic analysis revealed that even with just a 10% reduction in losses, the Mating Disruption Program proved profitable for wineries, covering all associated costs, including pheromones, technical assistance, and monitoring.

The quality of wine remained consistent in plots under the Mating Disruption Program, while neighboring vineyards suffered from damaged fruit caused by the pest or botrytis infection.

FAO viticulturists provided training to over 40 staff members from wineries, predominantly agronomists and other technical field personnel.

Wineries expressed their satisfaction with the results, confirming the program's profitability, and expressed a keen interest in continuing the Mating Disruption Program, with many willing to fund it entirely from their own resources.

Webinar: Successful biocontrol of the European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) in Georgia

Training materials:

Progress Updates for the One Country One Priority Product Initiative (OCOP) presented by Hafiz Muminjanov, OCOP Global Coordinator.

Sexual disruption for the control of Lobesia botrana for grapevine presented by Julio Prieto Díaz, FAO/EU Technical Expert

Lobesia botrana biocontrol: Mating Disruption Technique in Georgia presented by Alessandra Guidotti.