Jordan Journal of Agricultural Sciences 4(1): 26-40, 2008

Population trends of grape berry moth Lobesia botrana Schiff. (Lep., Tortricidae) and it’s parasitoids in Rakeen Area, Karak, Jordan

Abstract: Population trend of grape berry moth Lobesia botrana Schiff. and its parasitoids were studied on Salti cultivar in Rakeen area–Karak during 1998-1999 growing seasons. Grape berry moth appears as a very important pest to grapevines in Rakeen area. Using sex pheromone traps, it was found that the insect attacked grapevines during the whole season, but most serious damage was in fruit growth and development period and cause economical damage to grapevine production. The insect has four generations a year. The second and third generations cause most important damage on grapevine culture. The insect is considered a key pest. Two parasitoids were found to attack naturally the grape berry moth larvae in 1998 and 1999 growing seasons. The braconid parasitoid, Ascogaster quadridentata W. caused high rate of parasitism on the grape berry moth larvae reached 51.97% in 1998 growing season and 44.79% in 1999 growing season. Therefore, it may be considered of a potential importance as biological control agent for the insect. The other, an Ichneumonid sp. caused very low rate of parasitism reached to 1.32% in 1998 growing season and 4.17% in 1999 growing season and considered of no significance importance as a biological control agent.