The grape berry moth (Endopiza viteana Clemens, Lep.: Tortricidae) can cause extensive damage to commercial grapes throughout Eastern North America. This species is spread between its native host, Vitis spp. commonly found in wild habitats, and commercial vineyards. To determine the relative abundance and distribution of grape berry moth in vineyards and adjacent woods, adult moths were sampled through time along horizontal and vertical transects in these habitats. Pheromone traps were placed at 1.5, 3.0, 6.6, and 10 m above the ground on poles at five positions from the inside of the woods to the inside of the vineyard at four farms. Traps were deployed in mid April and checked weekly. Several patterns were consistently observed: the majority of moths were trapped in the woods, although the relative abundance in woods and vineyard varied with time. Moth captures increased with height in the woods, with a high percentage found above 3.0 m. Moth abundance declined sharply above the vineyard canopy. The results indicate that the distribution of adult E. viteana (an extreme specialist) is greatly influenced by that of its host plant. Implications for monitoring and management of grape berry moth will be discussed.
Species 1: Lepidoptera Tortricidae Endopiza viteana (grape berry moth)
Keywords: distribution, grapes
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA