Integrated control on vine at Bombarral (Lisbon) and Terceira (Azores)

The Applied Ecology Laboratory of the University of the Azores has started two integrated control programs on vines, one in Continental Portugal (Bom barral, 50 Kms NE of Lisbon) and another in the island of Terceira (Azores). The first operation began on 1984, with releases of Trichogramma mass reared in the Azores, and then air mailed to Lisbon. The species used was Trichogramma embryophagum, against Lobesia botrana and secondarily, against Eupoecilia ambiguella. In this operation no pesticides were employed. At Terceira Island, the threat of the japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, a species introduced in the U.S. Air Force facilities and quite probably with its origin in the United States is the target of an intensive integrated control program, to avoid the infestation of neighbouring vineyards. Bacillus popilliae, Nematodes and entomopathogenic Fungi as well as chemicals, like Carbaryl, are being used to contain the pest’s dispersion.