The National Program of Lobesia botrana, together with the Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), began the last 22 in October, the first trials of application of entomopathogenic fungi (HEP) in the Metropolitan Region. It is a new control technique that complements the already known pheromone of sexual confusion and that was applied in an urban sector of the Paine commune, which is characterized by high levels of infestation of this moth.

The Entomopathogenic Fungi develop their control function causing the death of the Lobesia botrana pupae that lodge under the bark of the vines, developing on the body of the insect which is colonized thanks to a series of enzymes that degrade the cuticle of the host. Once inside the pupae, HEP begins to colonize different organs, releasing toxins and finally inhibiting physiological development and causing death.

This control method -which is completely innocuous- will allow an urban control in the future without risk to the health of the population.

In this regard, the manager of the Lobesia botrana program of the Metropolitan Region, Felipe Leal, explained that "the implementation of this new technique will allow us to work later in larger urban areas where there is a large number of homemade pits where the control of this pest It has been virtually non-existent, except for those areas surrounding farms where pheromone emitters are installed. In summary, it is one of the tools that began to be used from this season in the urban sectors, also referring to the release of natural enemies and the TIE of Lobesia ".

It should be noted that Lobesia botrana or moth of the vine cluster (Lepidoptera Tortricidae) was detected for the first time in our country in the area of ​​Linderos, Metropolitan Region. It is a plague native to Europe that attacks the vineyards and its larva causes direct damage by feeding on the bunches, producing a decay and dehydration of the berries, a situation that decreases the yields of the vines.