One device for two pests: a new double dispenser for mating disruption of Lobesia botrana and Planococcus ficus

The European grapevine moth (EGVM), Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and the vine mealybug (VMB), Planococcus ficus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), are two important pests of grapevine in Mediterranean vineyards. In the last 20 years, pheromone-based mating disruption (MD) has been successfully developed, with noteworthy reduction in chemical insecticide use and safeguard of non-target insects. In the present study, a dedicated plastic reservoir dispenser (Isonet® L PFX246), releasing simultaneously synthetic pheromone active ingredients of both EGVM and VMB, was evaluated by testing 400, 500 and 600 dispensers/ha in five study sites located in Southern (Sicily), Central (Tuscany) and Northern (Veneto) Italy. Trials were performed by monitoring EGVM and VMB populations in wine and table-grape vineyards managed with MD, and in grower’s standard and untreated control vineyards. One single application per year of MD resulted in a significant reduction of both EGVM and VMB male catches, infested flower clusters and bunches, as well as of EGVM nests and VMB individuals, compared to untreated controls. MD efficacy was comparable to or higher than the efficacy expressed by grower’s standard. In general, no significant differences were found among the three tested rates of Isonet® L PFX246. Overall, our results highlighted that the use of Isonet® L PFX246 for the combined control of EGVM and VMB can contribute in achieving effective management of both pests, with the distinctive trait of this dispenser being the active ingredients: the sex pheromones of two insect species that do not belong to the same Order, i.e. Lepidoptera and Hemiptera