04/04/2008 - Mating Disruption = Insect Control
By attacking the grapes the vine moth causes huge losses in harvest and creates conditions for botrysis (rot). In order to contain the population of this insect in our vineyards we use a technique that respects the environment.
In order to be fertilized the female moths release sexual hormones (or pheromones) that help the males locate them more easily. We place in our vineyards dispensers that diffuse in high doses these same pheromones. The result is that the males are less likely to find the females, therefore there is no mating and the eggs are not fertilized. The hormone used has no other impact on the environment, it is simply a reconstituted odor.
The dispensers are placed in the spring before the moths take flight. They must be spaced out regularly throughout each parcel, with a density of about 500 dispensers for every hectare. The purchase and placement of these dispensers is significantly more expensive than a series of traditional chemical sprayings. However, we feel that methods that assist us in being environmentally responsible farmers and that permit us to produce high quality wines should be privileged at all costs. |
How can we protect our vineyards from the formidable vine moth without using insecticides? Mating disruption by pheromones is our response.