🦠 Grape berry moth (Eupoecilia)

The grape berry moth (Eupoecilia ambiguella) is a moth whose caterpillars damage grapes. It is one of the pests of the vine, a relative of the European grapevine moth, and their habits are similar. It is called two-flight because it gives two generations a year.

The adult moth is small, with a pattern on its wings. In spring, in May, the first generation flies and lays eggs on the buds. The caterpillars of this generation feed on the flowers and wrap them in webbing. Because of this some flowers die and the bunch turns out incomplete. In summer the second generation flies, and its caterpillars gnaw the green berries. Damaged berries often rot, and grey rot settles on them.

The pupae overwinter under the bark of old shoots. The pest can be fought in different ways: pheromone traps that attract males, mating disruption, in which scent keeps pairs from finding each other, and treating the plants at the right time.

The grape berry moth is among the pests of the vine. Growers watch its numbers so as to protect the crop in time.