Journal of Pest Science (2019) 92, 465-475

Federico Tacoli, Elena Cargnus, Fatemeh Kiaeian Moosavi, Pietro Zandigiacomo and Francesco Pavan (2019)
Efficacy and mode of action of kaolin and its interaction with bunch-zone leaf removal against Lobesia botrana on grapevines
Journal of Pest Science 92 (2), 465-475
Abstract: Lobesia botrana control strategies in vineyards aim to develop environmentally safe tools as an alternative to synthetic insecticides. The activity of kaolin on L. botrana performance was studied in laboratory and field bioassays. The efficacy of kaolin and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) against the moth, with or without bunch-zone leaf removal (LR), was compared in four trials carried out in vineyards in north-eastern Italy. In the laboratory bioassays, kaolin berry coverage reduced the egg-laying preference of L. botrana by 53% and decreased female survival and fecundity by 22 and 82%, respectively. Kaolin egg coverage reduced the hatching rate by 14%. The larval settlement preference for berries covered with kaolin was reduced by 72%, but larval survival and development were not affected. In the field bioassay, kaolin reduced the egg-laying preference by 84%. In the field trials, kaolin, Bt and LR reduced L. botrana infestation significantly. Although Bt was more effective than kaolin, the efficacy of the two products was similar when combined with LR. Based on the results obtained and its effectiveness also against grapevine leafhoppers, kaolin can play an important role in the context of integrated pest management in vineyards.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Elena Cargnus, Pietro Zandigiacomo, Francesco Pavan

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Lobesia botrana	Grapevine (Vitis)	Italy