Mating disruption for the control of Cryptoblabes gnidiella in vines. An experiment technically validates the pheromone-based method to control this worrying pest in the vineyards of southern France

Abstract: The honeydew moth is a polyphagous species of crops including different species of
economic interest such as Vitis vinifera (vine), Diospyros kaki (persimmon), Punica granatum (pomegranate), Citrus spp., Malus spp., Prunus spp., Persea americana (avocado) and Mangifera indica (mango), and others. The efficacy of mating disruption, with the lepidopteran pheromones (SCLPs) (Z)-13-octadecenal and (Z)-11-hexadecenal as active substances, was studied in the context of the control of the honeydew moth. This alternative method can be implemented within the framework of integrated protection against pests, making it possible to reduce the number of applications of so-called “conventional” chemical insecticides. The data obtained in the south of France confirms the value of mating disruption as a tool for controlling Cryptoblabes gnidiella in vines, even in the event of high populations.