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How to Manage PestsUC Pest Management Guidelines
DESCRIPTION OF THE PESTLight brown apple moth, also known as LBAM, is an exotic pest native to Australia that has been detected in coastal California from Los Angeles to Sonoma counties. Because it is a quarantined pest with special requirements regarding movement, inspection and treatment of regulated plant materials, consult the CDFA Web site or a County Agricultural Commissioner's Office for compliance information. In both appearance and behavior, the light brown apple moth is similar to other leafroller species in the tortricid family that occur in grapevines. The mature larval stages are pale-to-medium green with a light yellow-tan head. The first segment behind the head (prothoracic shield) is greenish brown with no dark markings. Full-grown larvae are about ½ to ¾ inch (10 to 18 mm) long. However, larvae cannot be reliably identified using morphological characters. Take captured, suspect larvae preferably alive to the County Agricultural Commissioner's Office for proper identification. The most efficient and reliable method for trapping male adults is with the use of light brown apple moth pheromone traps. There are many native tortricids that can be confused with this pest. Tortricid moths hold their wings over their abdomens in a bell shape when at rest and have protruding mouthparts that resemble a snout. Many moths have oblique markings on the wings. If you find a tortricid moth in a light brown apple moth pheromone trap, take it to your County Agricultural Commissioner's Office for positive identification. Depending on the climate, this pest may have from 2 to 4 generations a year. In its native range it does not survive well at high temperatures, but it does thrive in cooler areas with mild summers, moderate rainfall, and moderate-to-high humidity. Overwintering larvae do not have a winter resting stage (diapause). They pass the winter as second-to-fourth stage larvae on vegetation surrounding vineyards, on weeds or in grape mummies on the vine. Larvae may survive for up to 2 months in the winter without feeding. Adult moths emerge after 1 to 3 weeks of pupation and mate soon after emergence. They stay sheltered in the foliage during the day, resting on leaf undersides. Females begin to lay eggs 2 to 3 days after emerging, depositing them at night on the upper side of leaves. On grapevines eggs are normally found on fully developed leaves near the edge of the leaf blade. The eggs are typically laid in masses of 20 to 50 (but may contain up to 170 eggs), slightly overlapping each other like fish scales. Egg masses are covered with a greenish transparent coating when newly laid, but the eggs become darker as the embyo develops. Larvae emerge after 1 to 2 weeks and disperse widely on the vine. In spring the first stage larvae move to shoot tips and form nests by webbing together developing leaves. The larvae feed within these shelters. Later in the season, larvae may enter fruit clusters as early as bloomtime. They produce webbing along the cluster stem tying flower parts together and feed on developing berries in a manner similar to omnivorous leafroller and orange tortrix. DAMAGEOverwintering larvae may feed on buds; injured buds may fail to develop further. During bloom, larvae may feed on flower clusters. After veraison, feeding damage on the berries may allow rot organisms to infect fruit. MANAGEMENTResearch on light brown apple moth management strategies in California has been slowed by presently imposed quarantine restrictions. Therefore, research results from other locations (Australia and New Zealand) form the basis for management guidelines, but these should be evaluated under California conditions when possible. It is probable that management strategies for this pest will be modified as local research projects proceed. Removing mummified fruit and overwintering sites under the vines can reduce populations of these leafrollers. Well-timed spray treatments with a selective insecticide may be warranted if moths are caught in pheromone traps placed inside the vineyard.
Biological Control
Cultural Control
Organically Acceptable Methods
Monitoring and Treatment Decisions In early spring, monitor shoots for webbing of leaves and larvae inside their nests. Follow the monitoring procedures in MONITORING CATERPILLARS, which have been developed for other vineyard leafrollers. Look for rolled leaves that appear glued to shoots. Beginning at bloom, monitor bunches for webbing and larvae. If insecticide applications are warranted, they must be applied before bunch closure.
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UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Grape |
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