United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

 

Animal and 

Plant Health 

Inspection 

Service 

Plant Protection & 

Quarantine 

 

Cooperating State 

Departments of 

Agriculture 

 

Revised 

April 22, 2010

2010 Taxonomic 

Guidelines, Screening & 

Identification Aid for the 

European Grapevine Moth 

Survey 

Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiff.)

Tortricidae
1 

4.22.2010 

Guidelines for Handling Survey Samples for Identification of Lobesia botrana, the 

European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) for States (except CA) 

Joel Floyd, PPQ Domestic Diagnostics Coordinator 

Several states in 2010 are conducting surveys for the European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) , 

Lobesia botrana, under CAPS and Farm Bill funding. These guidelines are for state and PPQ 

personnel servicing traps, for screeners, and for taxonomists involved with the survey. 

All traps that are approved for the EGVM survey are sticky traps must be sorted and screened for 

suspect adult moths in the family Tortricidae. (Larvae should not be surveyed for and will not be 

identified as part of this survey.) Proper sorting and screening will limit the material forwarded 

to the taxonomic specialists in your state capable of identifying suspects of this species. Because 

the adults are small and have somewhat variable wing patterns, morphological screening can be 

difficult. The often obscured condition of specimens captured in sticky traps further compounds 

the difficulty in recognizing suspects of the target species. 

Fortunately traps baited with the EGVM pheromone lure are thought to be more specific than the 

Light brown apple moth pheromone, but will likely still capture other moth species including 

other tortricids. Some of these non-target, endemic species may be similar to EGVM in 

appearance. Consequently, most screening for this survey will occur by someone familiar with 

characteristics of tortricids and identifications of suspects by a taxonomist familiar with the 

characteristics described in the “Screening and Identification Aid for the EGVM” by Todd 

Gilligan, Steven Passoa, and Marc Epstein, seen below. 

Traps should be serviced at regular intervals according the guidance provided by the program. If 

traps are stored for more than a few days after collection, they should be kept in a cool location 

such as a refrigerator until they can be examined and processed. This will prevent deterioration 

of the specimens. Do not freeze traps except to kill the adults still alive in traps, which is 

necessary. And do not send live moths in traps through the mail to other locations. 

Sorting of Traps 

Sorting can be performed at the field level to only select traps with Lepidoptera of the 

appropriate shape and size according to the screening aid guidance. 

1st Level Screening of Traps 

1st Level Screening is defined as recognizing moths that appear to be in the family Tortricidae. 

This will require examination through a good hand-lens or preferably through a dissecting 

microscope and should be performed by a screener with experience or training in recognizing 

characteristics of Lepidoptera families. Traps containing suspect tortricid moths, or if there is 

any doubt, are to be sent to a diagnostic laboratory or taxonomist in the state experienced with 

adult Lepidoptera identification. 
2 

4.22.2010 

2nd Level Screening of Traps 

2nd Level Screening is defined as selection of suspect EGVM based on external wing pattern 

characteristics and dissection of the male’s abdomen to inspect the genitalia. This should be 

performed by a taxonomist familiar with Lepidoptera dissection techniques. When forwarding 

dissected specimens, the genitalia from these specimens should not be mounted on slides. The 

genitalia should be sent forward in alcohol in a vial (in microvials with glycerin if available) with 

the whole adult moth specimen for final identification. 

The routing and confirmation of the EGVM from either screening level will depend on the stated 

taxonomic ability of a state/PPQ taxonomic infrastructure. State departments of agriculture, 

universities, or PPQ in a state with the taxonomic ability and capacity to make determinations to 

the 2nd level screening will first forward any suspect EGVM specimens to one of the PPQdesignated Lepidoptera Identifiers listed below. If confirmed as suspect EGVM that potentially 

represent new state or county records, the specimen(s) will be forwarded to John Brown with the 

USDA-ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory in Washington, DC for final confirmation. 

States that do not have 1st and/or 2nd level screening ability can forward specimens or sorted 

whole traps to one of the PPQ-designated Lepidoptera Identifiers. Prior approval and notification 

for doing this must go through the PPQ Regional Survey Coordinators informing them of the 

need, and the number of traps anticipated. 

Brian Kopper, ER (brian.j.kopper@aphis.usda.gov) 

Kristian Rondeau, WR, (kristian.c.rondeau@aphis.usda.gov ) 

PPQ-designated Lepidoptera Identifiers. 

PPQ Eastern Region 

1. Julieta Brambila 

 USDA, APHIS, PPQ 

 CAPS Program 

 For regular mail: P.O. Box 147100 

 For overnight carriers: 1911 SW 34 Street 

 Gainesville, FL 32608 

 Phone: (352) 372-3505 ext. 438 or 464 

 E-mail: julieta.brambila@aphis.usda.gov

2. Richard Brown 

 Mississippi Entomological Museum 

 For Regular Mail: P.O. Drawer 9775 

 For Overnight Carriers: 100 Twelve Land 

 Mississippi State, MS 39762 

 Phone: (662) 325-2990 

 E-mail: RBrown@entomology.msstate.edu
3 

4.22.2010 

PPQ Western Region 

 3. Kira Zhaurova 

 USDA, APHIS, PPQ 

 Minnie Belle Heep 216D 

 2475 TAMU 

 College Station, TX 77843 

 Phone : 979-450-5472 

 E-mail : kira.zhaurvoa@aphis.usda.gov

 4. Eric LaGasa 

 Pest Program / Plant Protection Division 

 Washington State Department of Agriculture 

 For regular mail: P.O. Box 42560 

 For overnight carriers: 1111 Washington Street, 2nd Floor NRB 

 Olympia, WA 98504-2560 

Phone: Desk phone: 360 902 2063 

Email: elagasa@agr.wa.gov

States handling their own EGVM taxonomy will follow state guidance for the 

documentation, preparation, and selection of suspects for state identifiers. State 

identifiers or PPQ taxonomists sending suspect EGVM for preliminary confirmation by a 

PPQ-designated Lepidoptera identifier must include a completed PPQ form 391. Each 

PPQ form 391 forwarded will need to have minimally the following minimum 

information: 

1. Trap number 

2. Collection number with two letter state abbreviation 

3. Collector name, affiliation, phone number, and e-mail address 

4. Location (address, coordinates, and State and County) 

5. Nearby host plant genus and species (if applicable) 

6. Number of suspect specimens in sample 

7. Trap service dates: 

a. Date last serviced with lure change 

b. Date trap or trap insert pulled for sample submission 

A fillable PPQ form 391 is found at: 

http://cals-cf.calsnet.arizona.edu/azpdn/labs/submission/PPQ_Form_391.pdf

The state taxonomist should write their tentative determination in line 23 of the PPQ form 

391, with his/her name as determiner. Label each trap and/or specimens with the trap 
4 

4.22.2010 

number and collection number. Mark the outside of the package with the words: “EGVM 

Survey.” 

Suspect EGVM adult specimens are to be sent dry with the dissected genitalia not 

mounted on slides but placed in alcohol in a small vial (in microvials with glycerin if 

available) accompanying the adult. Be sure specimens are well protected with 

cushioning when shipping to prevent damage during transport (follow the instructions 

listed in the “Screening and Identification Aid for the EGVM”). 

Communications of Results

Not all of the moths in the trap will be identified by PPQ-designated Lepidoptera 

taxonomists to the species level if not suspect EGVM. Negative results mean EGVM is 

not in the sample. All negative EGVM determinations made by PPQ-designated 

Lepidoptera identifiers will be communicated by them by e-mail back to the SPHD, 

SPRO, regional program managers, and submitter in the state of origin. These can be 

accumulated and sent summarized in a spreadsheet at the end of the week. 

Any positive suspect EGVM identification that are not new state or county records will 

be also communicated directly, but daily as they occur, to the SPRO, SPHD, and 

submitter and the EGVM regional survey coordinators. 

When PPQ-designated Identifiers are forwarding a suspect new state or county EGVM 

records, notification that specimens are being forwarded to SEL will be sent by e-mail to 

ppq.nis.urgents@aphis.usda.gov e-mail address. A copy of the PPQ form 391 with the 

tentative determination must be e-mailed or faxed to the NIS urgent team (PPQ National 

Identification Service, fax number: 301-734-5276). The NIS urgent team will have the 

PPQ form 391 information entered in the PestID system and notify SEL that specimen(s) 

are being forwarded for final confirmation. NIS will send an e-mail alert to the 

headquarters PPQ Emergency and Domestic Programs staff that suspect EGVM 

specimens from a new state or county are being forwarded to SEL for confirmation. They 

will in turn notify the SPHD and SPRO in the state of origin, the Regional Program 

Managers. 

Once SEL makes a final determination, positive or negative, the notification will be sent 

to the PPQ Emergency and Domestic Programs staff in Riverdale, MD who will forward 

the confirmations to the national and regional program mangers, SPHD and SPRO, who 

in turn will notify the appropriate state level personnel including the submitter. 
European Grapevine Moth

Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiff.)

The European grapevine moth (EGVM), Lobesia botrana

(Denis & Schiffermüller), is one of the most destructive grape 

pests in the Palearctic. L. botrana larvae cause damage to grapes 

by feeding on fruit, resulting in direct damage and secondary 

infection of feeding sites by botrytis bunch rot (gray mold; 

Fungi). L. botrana was discovered infesting grapes in Napa 

Valley, California in 2009; it has not been reported from North 

America outside of California. 

L. botrana is a member of the Tortricidae, a large family 

of moths (Lepidoptera) that includes many pest species. In North 

America there are approximately 1200 species of tortricids, 

which are often referred to as “leafrollers” because the larvae 

of some species feed inside a rolled leaf. Most tortricid moths 

are small and brown with a wingspan of approximately 10-30 

mm. L. botrana can be distinguished from many other tortricids 

by its wing pattern and small size; however some species are 

superficially similar to L. botrana. Other species of Lobesia and 

related Paralobesia (both subfamily Olethreutinae) are present 

in North America, and a genitalic dissection is necessary to 

separate these species from L. botrana in most cases.

This aid is designed to assist in the screening and 

identification of L. botrana adults collected from sticky traps in 

the United States. It covers basic sorting of traps, first and second 

level screening, and identification based on morphological 

characters. Basic knowledge of Lepidoptera morphology 

is necessary to screen for L. botrana. Basic knowledge of 

Tortricidae and dissection techniques are necessary to identify 

suspect L. botrana specimens. 

1

T. M. Gilligan1, S. C. Passoa2, M. E. Epstein3

Tortricidae

Screening and 

Identification Aid

1) Colorado State University, Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, 1177 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 

80523 (e-mail: tgilliga@gmail.com); 2) USDA/APHIS/PPQ, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212; 3) Plant Pest Diagnostic 

Branch, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, CA 95832.

Figure 1: Adult L. botrana. Wing pattern is 

very consistent with no obvious difference 

between males and females.

Figure 2: Adult L. botrana showing color 

variation.

Figure 3: L. botrana larva feeding on grapes.

Tortricids of Agricultural Importance

United States Department of Agriculture • Colorado State University • California 

Department of Food and Agriculture
2

European Grapevine Moth

Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiff.) Sorting

Figure 4: Outline of L. botrana in 

resting position.

Figure 6: Examples of L. botrana adults caught in a sticky trap.

Figure 5: Actual size (4-7 mm forewing 

length) of a L. botrana adult.

Lobesia botrana pheromone traps should be sorted 

initially for the presence of moths of the appropriate size, 

color, and shape. Traps that contain moths meeting all of the 

following requirements should be moved to level 1 screening:

1) Moths are approximately 4-7 mm (1⁄4 inch)

 long (forewing length) (Figs. 5 & 6)

2) Moths have an overall shape that is similar to

 the outline depicted in Fig. 4. Note that moths

 caught on their side or back may have a 

 different outline (Fig. 6).

3) Moths appear superficially similar to those 

 depicted in Figs. 1-2 & 6-7.

The appearance of moths caught in sticky traps can 

vary substantially depending on the amount of sticky glue on 

the moth. For this reason, any small, tortrid-like moth should 

be sent forward to level 1 screening.

Tortricids of Agricultural Importance

United States Department of Agriculture • Colorado State University • California 

Department of Food and Agriculture
Moths that meet the sorting requirements should be screened 

for suspect tortricids. Level 1 screening is difficult for small moths 

and may need to be performed by a trained Lepidopterist. When 

in doubt distinguishing first level screening characters, forward 

traps that have passed the sorting requirements to a trained 

taxonomist. Suspect tortricids in traps should not be manipulated or 

removed for screening unless expertise is available.

Tortricid moths can be identified by the following combination 

of characters:

1) Antennae simple, thread-like, and never

 pectinate (feathery).

2) Tympanum absent. Members of the Pyraloidea may 

 appear similar but have a tympanum at the base of

 the abdomen.

3) Labial palpi pointed and project forward. Some

 families have labial palpi that curve upwards.

4) Maxillary palpi are very reduced and not visible in

 tortricids. Maxillary palpi may be visible under

magnification in some commonly intercepted

 pyralid species.

4) Proboscis (tongue) unscaled. Members of the

 Gelechioidea and Pyraloidea have a scaled

 proboscis.

5) Chaetosema (patch of bristle-like setae) present

 above the compound eye. (Chaetosema may be

difficult to see without a high-quality microscope.)

Moths meeting the above criteria should be sent to level 

2 screening. Traps to be forwarded to level 2 should be carefully 

packed following the steps outlined in Fig. 8. Traps can be folded, 

with stickum-glue on the inside, making sure the two halves are 

not touching, secured loosely with a rubber band, and placed in a 

plastic bag for shipment. Insert 2-3 styrofoam packing peanuts on 

trap surfaces without moths to cushion and prevent the two sticky 

surfaces from sticking during shipment to taxonomists. DO NOT 

simply fold traps flat or cover traps with transparent wrap (or other 

material), as this will guarantee specimens will be seriously damaged 

or pulled apart – making identification difficult or impossible.

3

European Grapevine Moth

Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiff.) Level 1 Screening

Figure 7: Male L. botrana in a sticky trap.

Figure 8: Recommended packing method 

for shipment of sticky traps: a & b) open 

and unfold trap; c) place 2-3 packing 

peanuts in areas of trap with no moths; 

d) fold trap, secure with rubber band, and 

place in plastic bag.

Tortricids of Agricultural Importance

United States Department of Agriculture • Colorado State University • California 

Department of Food and Agriculture
4

Suspect tortricids should be cleaned to identify suspect 

L. botrana specimens. Details on cleaning specimens caught in 

sticky traps can be found on the following website:

http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/LBAM/dissections.html

Cleaned specimens should be pinned and labeled. Initial 

screening is based on wing pattern, which varies little between 

individuals. L. botrana and close relatives can be separated from 

most other Nearctic tortricids by a combination of the following 

wing characters (depicted in red in Figs. 9 & 10); note that male 

L. botrana lack a forewing costal fold:

Wing Pattern

1) All L. botrana individuals have a prominent

 leaden-gray bar that runs across the middle of 

 the forewing (Fig. 9). Often this bar is outlined 

 in white. In a resting individual these markings 

 form a complete, transverse, gray bar across 

 the middle of the specimen (Fig. 10).

2) Many L. botrana individuals have a prominent

 inverted “Y” in the outer half of the forewing.

 This “Y” is formed from leaden-gray scales 

 outlined in white (Figs. 9 & 10). This feature may

 not be evident in some specimens, especially 

 those that are worn; however close examination

 should reveal some remnants of this pattern

 element.

 

Specimens that pass initial wing pattern screening most 

likely belong to the genera Lobesia or Paralobesia. These specimens 

should be dissected for further determination. Standard dissection 

procedures for Lepidoptera are outlined in Clarke (1951) and 

Robinson (1976). Separated abdomens and genitalia preparations 

should be carefully labeled to remain associated with pinned 

specimens. Specimens may need to be sent to a tortricid specialist 

for positive identification.

European Grapevine Moth

Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiff.) Level 2 Screening

Figure 9: Diagnostic L. botrana forewing 

pattern elements (highlighted in red): 

prominent leaden-gray bar across the 

middle of the forewing and an inverted 

“Y” on the outer half of the forewing. 

Closely related Paralobesia share these 

same markings and cannot be separated by 

wing pattern alone.

Figure 10: Diagnostic L. botrana

wing pattern markings (highlighted 

in red) in a resting individual.

Tortricids of Agricultural Importance

United States Department of Agriculture • Colorado State University • California 

Department of Food and Agriculture
5

European Grapevine Moth

Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiff.) Identification

Dissected L. botrana can be separated from Nearctic 

Paralobesia based on the following genitalic characters:

Males

1) Valvae long and narrow with a row of spines on 

 the ventral margin (Fig. 11). Cucullus separated

 from the sacculus by a distinct notch where spines

 are absent.

Females

1) Ductus bursae long, slender, and undifferentiated

 from the corpus bursae which is gradually enlarged

 anteriorly (Fig. 12).

2) A long, feather-shaped signum is present (Fig. 12).

Male Nearctic Paralobesia have a cluster of long setae (the 

saccular tuft) that extends from the ventral margin of the valva that 

is not present in L. botrana. Most female Nearctic Paralobesia lack 

a signum.

Paralobesia viteana is a native pest of grapes in eastern 

North America. This species is easily separated from L. botrana by 

genitalic characters: male P. viteana have a prominent lobe projecting 

from the valva that is absent in L. botrana, and female P. viteana

lack a signum. The only common native Lobesia species in eastern 

North America, L. carduana, is not likely to be associated with 

grapes. Gilligan et al. (2008) should be consulted for identification 

of olethreutines in eastern North America. This volume contains 

detailed descriptions and illustrations of many species of Paralobesia

that appear superficially similar to L. botrana.

In western North America, only two species of Paralobesia

have been recorded. Neither are likely to be associated with grapes 

and both can be separated from L. botrana by genitalic characters. 

Powell and Opler (2009) should be consulted for identification of 

olethreutines in western North America. 

Figure 11: L. botrana male genitalia; 

a) slide mounted, b) unmounted. Arrows 

denote diagnostic notch in valvae.

Figure 12: L. botrana female genitalia. 

Arrow denotes female signum.

Tortricids of Agricultural Importance

United States Department of Agriculture • Colorado State University • California 

Department of Food and Agriculture
Key to Screen and Identify L. botrana

Suspects in the United States

The following key covers screening and 

identification of suspect L. botrana. Sticky traps 

normally capture only males moths, although female 

moths have been captured in California. Both sexes of 

moths are included; figures on previous pages should 

be consulted for specific characters.

1. Abdominal or thoracic tympanum present;

antenna pectinate; labial palpi upturned;

proboscis scaled or absent; moths not about

4-7 mm long..............................Not L. botrana

1’. Abdominal and thoracic tympanum absent; 

antenna simple; labial palpi projecting forward; 

proboscis not scaled; moths about 4-7 mm 

long ..................................................................2

2. Forewings with prominent median gray bar

and outer inverted “Y,” both outlined in white, 

or forewing pattern unknown...........................3

2’. Forewings without prominent median gray bar

and outer inverted “Y” ..............Not L. botrana

3. Males................................................................4

3’. Females............................................................5

4. Male valva with distinctive notch between

cucullus and sacculus..........L. botrana suspect

4’. Male valva without distinctive notch between

cucullus and sacculus................Not L. botrana

5. Female with long narrow ductus bursae

gradually expanding into corpus bursae, and a

large, single signum ............L. botrana suspect

5’. Female without a long narrow ductus bursae

gradually expanding into corpus bursae, and

signum absent or two signa 

present.......................................Not L. botrana

References

Eastern & Midwestern North America non-targets:

Gilligan, T. M., D. J. Wright and L. D. Gibson. 2008. 

Olethreutine moths of the midwestern United States, 

an identification guide. Ohio Biological Survey, 

Columbus, Ohio. 334 pp.

Western North America non-targets:

Powell, J. A. and P. A. Opler. 2009. Moths of western 

North America. University of California Press, 

Berkeley. 369 pp.

Genitalia Dissections:

Clarke, J. F. G. 1941. The preparation of slides of the 

genitalia of Lepidoptera. Bulletin of the Brooklyn 

Entomological Society, 36:149-161.

Robinson, G. S. 1976. The preparation of slides of 

Lepidoptera genitalia with special reference to the 

Microlepidoptera. Entomologist’s Gazette. 27:127-

132.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Joel Floyd for 

prompting the creation of this document. We thank 

Roberto Gonzalez, Universidad de Chile, for specimens, 

information on L. botrana in Chile, and use of Figs. 

3 & 10. We thank Eric LaGasa, Washington State 

Department of Agriculture, Jerry Powell, University 

of California Berkeley, and Richard Worth, Oregon 

Department of Agriculture, for providing details on 

West Coast Paralobesia. Julieta Brambila, USDA/

APHIS/PPQ, John Brown, USDA/SEL, Richard Brown, 

Mississippi Entomological Museum, and Eric LaGasa 

provided helpful comments.

European Grapevine Moth

Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiff.) Key and References

6

Tortricids of Agricultural Importance

United States Department of Agriculture • Colorado State University • California 

Department of Food and Agriculture