First Report of Lobesia botrana on Daphne gnidium in North of Tunisia

Abstract

In Tunisia, Lobesia botrana is a pest of grapevine. Larvae of L. botrana were observed for the first time in 2014 in Sejnane (Northwestern Tunisia) on Daphne gnidium and more recently, in 2017, in Delhiza (Northeastern Tunisia). Larvae need to enter into a bud at budburst to feed on young leaves. Pupae were observed from the end of May to early June on D. gnidium buds and adults emerged in June. After mating, female lays eggs by mid-June. In this paper, we present a first report of L. botrana on D. gnidium in Tunisia.

Keywords

• Daphne gnidium
• Lobesia botrana
• North of Tunisia