We use environment-friendly techniques
The European grapevine moth, also known as Lobesia botrana, is one of the insects that destroys most vines in the Mediterranean area. Sebastià Raventós, Head of the Freixenet Group’s Department of Viticulture, explains in this interview how the mating disruption technique is applied to combat its effects and help grow heal- thier grapes.
How long has the mating disruption technique been used on the grapevine moth in Freixenet and why is it used exactly?
We have been applying this technique in Freixenet since 2005 and its aim is basi- cally to combat the grapevine moth, or
lobesia botrana.
How does this pest affect grape vines?
The moth is one of the most dreaded pests among the many that threaten the quality of grapes. The life cycle of the Lobesia botrana leads to three generations of moths. While all of these cause signifi- cant damage, it is the second and third generations that usually cause the greatest damage, because their larvae pierce and penetrate into the grapes, causing wounds and inducing rot attack, such as botrytis.
Does it affect all grape varieties in the same way?
No, certain types of grapes are affected most by the damage and it is also aggravated by the weather, for example with increases in humidity and temperature.
Explain the technique to us.
Biotechnological advances have allowed us to reproduce the pheromone of this species in the laboratory. The technique specifically consists in causing mating confusion in the insect by a constant and continuous dissemination of the female sex pheromone created in the laboratory. The aim of this dissemination is to create a large cloud of this synthetic pheromone. This leads to and results in disorientating and confusing the male moths, making them unable to locate and inseminate the females, thus minimising the reproduction rate of these insects.
How is this method applied in practise?
A specific number of synthetic pheromone diffusers are placed per hectare in the strains before the start of the first ge- neration of the moth. They are distribu- ted evenly so that their spread reaches the entire ground area.
How are the results from its application obtained?
By monitoring and controlling catches. Pheromone traps are placed to check for the presence of insects in areas where the mating confusion technique is applied and in other vineyards where the method is not applied. This helps to monitor the flight of different generations of adult moths, comparing the treated vines with those that have not been treated. In the untreated vineyards, we can observe different genera- tions of the pest that is captured, while in areas where the technique has been used, the captures tend to be nil. Monitoring is also made of the egg-laying of each generation, which helps to control their reproduction level.
What benefits does using this technique have over other conventional methods?
In short, the mating confusion technique is a biotechnological method that provides many advantages over conventional methods that use chemicals, as these tend to harm the en- vironment. Unlike these methods, this technique does not pollute, is not toxic, is fully specific – acting only at the level of the gra- pevine moth – does not cause biological imbalances and, in the medium and long term, naturally stimulates a decreased level of pest numbers after several years of use.
The Freixenet Group follows an ecological line that respects the environment and uses biotechnology through alternative methods from early vine development. These efforts aim to ensure not only the quality of our cavas and wines, but also provide maximum benefits for the environment in the short, medium and long term, increasingly aiming to avoid chemical treatments that can have harmful effects on nature.