Pests and diseases: Botanical products for vine mealybug control in organic vineyards

Abstract

The vine (Vitis vinifera L.) is a fruit crop of great economic importance around the world (Torregrosa et al., 2015). However, its production is affected by significant pest problems. The vine mealybug (Planococcus ficus) is extended in most grapevine growing areas, being a high-impact pest in the vineyards. Synthetic insecticides are the most commonly used strategy to control mealybug populations in vineyards. These products are characterized by their broad spectrum of action, presenting high toxicity not only to mealybugs but also to non-pest living organisms. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest towards finding new management strategies to achieve long-term stability of the agricultural systems, environmental protection, and consumer safety. Plants offer alternatives to currently used insect control agents, for being a rich source of bioactive chemicals. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the insecticidal properties of the EOs of Minthostachys verticillata and Eucalyptus globulus against the P. ficus. The results presented here can be used as a basis for the potential development of new, healthier pesticides to control mealybugs in vineyards.