Developing Area-Wide SIT Against the European Grape Vine Moth (Lobesia Botrana) in Chile

The pest, native to Europe, attacks the vineyards and its larvae cause direct damage by feeding on the grape clusters, a situation which decreases yields of the vineyards. Besides, it has extended its damage to berries. For this reason, and searching for alternative control measures, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is an important component of the integrated management of the pest for its suppression and eradication. Since early 2018, through its Technical Cooperation Department and the support of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, the IAEA, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has been transferring the SIT technology for moths to the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) of the Ministry of Agriculture of Chile. Substantial progress has been made on the Lobesia radiation biology protocols, artificial rearing and field release methods. Recently, the project counterparts organized the first release ever of sterile Lobesia moths in presence of SAG high level authorities as well as producers and exporters of grapes and other fruits attacked by this pest. For more information see video (available only in Spanish).