About the European Vine Moth
Lobesia botrana, the European grapevine moth or European grape worm, is a moth of the family Tortricidae. This species is native to Southern Italy. It can be found in Southern Europe, North Africa, Anatolia and the Caucasus. Recently it has been introduced into Japan, Chile and Argentina, however on July 5, 2021, Senasa Argentina (the National Food Safety and Quality Service) declared the Departments of Cafayate and Concordia successfully eradicated.
Lobesia botrana can reach a length of 6–8 millimetres (0.24–0.31 in), with a wingspan of 12–13 mm. The females are slightly larger. The external surface of the forewings is mottled with tan-brown, greyish and dark-brown blotches. The rear wings are gray with a fringed border. Larvae can reach a length of 8–9 millimetres (0.31–0.35 in). They are yellowish green to light brown with a light yellow head.
The larvae mainly feed on the flowers and fruit of grape (Vitis vinifera) and spurge laurel (Daphne gnidium), but it has also been reported on several other plants (Rubus fruticosus, Ribes sp., Olea europaea, Prunus avium, Prunus domestica, Actinidia chinensis, Punica granatum, etc.). Lobesia... Wikipedia →