European Grapevine Moth

European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The Situation: The European grapevine moth (EGVM) is widely established in Central and Western Europe, particularly in the Mediterranean region, and is present in parts of North Africa and Eastern Europe. More recently it has spread to East Africa and the Americas. The initial detection of EGVM in the United States occurred in Napa County, California, in 2009. The pathway by which it arrived in California remains unclear. This invasive insect poses a significant threat to the state’s grape industry due to the substantial damage caused by larval feeding on grape flowers and fruits. 

In 2010 an eradication program was implemented in several California counties in an attempt to contain the spread of EGVM to surrounding areas. This program included extensive monitoring using pheromone-baited traps, chemical control around local infestations of the moth, mating disruption in surrounding vineyards, and restrictions on the movement of host plants, grapes harvested from infested areas, and winery wastes. 

After two years without repeat detections of EGVM in any of the infested areas, it was declared eradicated in 2016. Subsequent studies have attributed the success of this program to the proper application of scientifically-sound IPM approaches coupled with effective cooperation among federal and state agencies, cooperative extension personnel, and local stakeholder groups. Nonetheless, despite its successful eradication, EGVM is considered to be at high risk of reintroduction into California. 

Damage: EGVM larvae are responsible for damage to grapes, with extensive infestations leading to severe economic losses. Over the course of the season larvae preferentially feed on and damage developing grapevine flower clusters, immature berries, and mature berries. Late in the season damage is compounded because larval feeding damage increases grape cluster vulnerability to fungal infections, most likely caused by Botrytis cinerea.

Although grapevines are a preferred host plant, EGVM is reported to feed on a wide range of fruit and ornamental plants, including: blackberry, carnation, currant, European barberry, European privet, gooseberry, jujube, kiwi fruit, olive, persimmon, pomegranate, red clover, rosemary, St. John’s wort or Klamath weed, and various stone fruits.

Life Cycle: Adult EGVM females are capable of laying 35 eggs per day for approximately 6 days. Hatching of eggs occurs anywhere from 3 days to 1 and a half weeks after they were laid, depending on ambient temperatures. It takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks for young larvae to fully mature, and it is during this stage of its life that European grapevine moth causes the most damage to grapevines. The pupal stage lasts an additional 1 to 2 weeks, after which adults emerge. Typically, adults will live for about 1 to 3 weeks. Multiple generations of EGVM frequently occur in a growing season, with reports of up to 4 generations in a single year being possible in areas with favorable climates and food. European grapevine moth overwinters as a pupa, constructing cocoons in the bark of grapevines or in soil cracks. First-generation adults emerge when temperatures become warm, usually in the middle of spring.

Distribution: EGVM is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean, likely Southern Italy, after which it spread to parts of Central and Western Europe. Subsequently it has become established in parts of Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, East Africa, and the Americas. The most recently invaded areas include the US, Chile, and Argentina.

In the United States, EGVM was first detected in Napa County, California, in late 2009. Soon after, quarantine procedures were put in place to contain its spread. Ultimately, the regions affected included parts of the 10 additional counties: Mendocino, Sonoma, Lake, Solano, Nevada, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Joaquin, Merced, and Fresno. The quarantine order included guidelines for the proper transportation and disposal of grapes and other favored plant species.

Control: Available management strategies for the European grapevine moth include chemical control, mating disruption, and fruit removal. Insecticides approved for use on the European grapevine moth include insect growth regulators, spinosyns, and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). There is currently at least one mating disruption product available which works by mimicking female European grapevine moth pheromones, resulting in adult males becoming disoriented and thereby delaying or preventing their mating with receptive females. Fruit removal from infested and surrounding grapevines has been prescribed as a first step control measure for both homeowners and commercial growers in affected areas. Research to identify a viable European grapevine moth biological control agent is ongoing. In its native range parasitoids that attack the pupal stage are reportedly effective at suppressing this pest. In Chile and parts of the Middle East, sterile insect technique has been evaluated for control of EGVM.

Page last updated on August 18, 2026.