Wax-based application methods for mating disruption of grape berry moth (Paralobesia viteana) in Michigan vineyards and adjacent woodlots

To determine whether pheromone mating disruption in crop and adjacent natural habitat can reduce grape berry moth (GBM) damage, wax-based pheromone formulations were deployed in vineyards and adjacent woodlots at commercial grape farms in Michigan. A food grade wax formulation containing 3% GBM pheromone (SPLAT-GBM) was deployed in vineyards at 1 kg per acre using a mechanical applicator mounted on a small utility vehicle. Woodlots adjacent to half of the pheromone-treated vineyards received an application of 3% grape berry moth pheromone embedded in paraffin wax attached to string and suspended in the canopy of the woods. The effect of pheromone treatments on moth captures and GBM infestation was compared among vineyards receiving no pheromone, pheromone only in the vineyard, and pheromone in the vineyard and adjacent woods. Preliminary results show that both types of pheromone application were effective at preventing male moths from finding monitoring traps in vineyards and woods. The degree to which the treatments reduced grape berry moth infestation in vineyards will be reported.