Influence of Vineyard Inter-Row Management on Grapevine Leafhoppers and Their Natural Enemies.

Inter-row management in vineyards can influence the abundance of grapevine pests and their natural enemies. In 2013-2015, in a vineyard in northeastern Italy, the influence of two vineyard inter-row management strategies (i.e.

Side Effects of Kaolin and Bunch-Zone Leaf Removal on Generalist Predators in Vineyards.

In vineyards, kaolin application and bunch-zone leaf removal (LR) were effective in the control of leafhoppers and , but their side effects on generalist predators are still poorly understood. In north-eastern Italian vineyards, the impact of kaolin and LR on species and functional diversity of spiders, as well as the abundance of spiders and generalist predatory insects, was assessed in one vineyard for two consecutive years and in two vineyards for one year. The ecological indices of the spider community were never influenced by kaolin and only in one case were they influenced by LR.

Assessing the Distribution of Exotic Egg Parasitoids of in Europe with a Large-Scale Monitoring Program.

The brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive agricultural pest with a worldwide distribution. Classical biological control has been identified as the most promising method to reduce the populations of . Adventive populations of two candidates for releases, and , have recently been detected in Europe.

Side Effects of Sulfur Dust on the European Grapevine Moth and the Predatory Mite in Vineyards.

To reduce the impact of synthetic insecticides on human health and the environment, eco-friendly alternatives must be investigated. Knowledge of the side effects on pests and natural enemies of natural products applied to vineyards is very useful. Sulfur dust, which is used in vineyards to control powdery mildew, is investigated in laboratory and field bioassays for its effects on egg laying, egg hatching, and larval settlement.

An Insight into the Role of as Biological Control Agent of in Northeastern Italy.

Sustainable strategies such as classical or augmentative biological control are currently being evaluated for the long-term management of the alien invasive pest (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). A three-year study carried out in northeastern Italy was performed to investigate the distribution and field performance of the egg parasitoid (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), in comparison with other parasitoid species. In the study area, adventive populations of were present since 2016, representing the earliest detection of this species in Europe.

Is the existence of a mutualistic relationship between Lobesia botrana and Botrytis cinerea well-founded?

Some studies have highlighted benefits for Lobesia botrana by adding Botrytis cinerea mycelium to an artificial larval diet and have suggested a mutualistic relationship between the two organisms on grapevine, hypothesizing that fungal sterols were the nutritional factor involved. Because the nutritional quality of an artificial diet should be similar to grapes to allow extrapolation of the results to the field conditions, in the current study L. botrana larval performance was compared when larvae were fed on grapes (berries) or two artificial diets either with or without enrichment with B.

Control of Scaphoideus titanus with Natural Products in Organic Vineyards.

The leafhopper is the vector of ' Phytoplasma vitis', the causal agent of Flavescence dorée (FD) a key disease for European viticulture. In organic vineyards, the control of relies mostly on the use of pyrethrins that have suboptimal efficacy. During 2016, three field trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of kaolin, orange oil, insecticidal soap and spinosad against nymphs, in comparison with pyrethrins.

Efficacy and Mode of Action of Kaolin in the Control of Empoasca vitis and Zygina rhamni (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Vineyards.

During 2015, the influence of kaolin applications and bunch-zone leaf removal on the grapevine leafhoppers, Empoasca vitis (Göthe) and Zygina rhamni Ferrari, and their egg parasitoids (Anagrus spp.) was tested in four vineyards of northeastern Italy. The mode of action of kaolin on E.

Taxonomic value of morphological and morphometrical characters in the immature stages of four species of Kampimodromus Nesbitt (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Italy and Croatia.

The immature stages of four species of Kampimodromus Nesbitt (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Italy and Croatia have been studied and identified both at stage and species level. Larval stages of Kampimodromus corylosus Kolodochka and all immature stages of Kampimodromus ericinus Ragusa di Chiara & Tsolakis and Kampimodromus langei Wainstein & Arutunjan are described for the first time. The relative length of the posterior dorsal setae Z4 make the larvae of Kampimodromus aberrans (Oudemans) easy to separate from those of the other three species.

Influence of generation and photoperiod on larval development of Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

The influence of generation (under field conditions) and photoperiod (under laboratory conditions) on Lobesia botrana larvae development was studied. Some larvae were collected during three annual generations in two grape-growing areas of northeastern Italy, and others were individually reared in the laboratory from egg to pupa on an artificial diet under two different photoperiod conditions (respectively, daylight 16 h/d [long day {LD}] and 14 h/d [short day {SD}]). The mandible lengths of collected larvae were measured and the data analyzed morphometrically to determine the number of larval instars.