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. 2025 Jan 10;16(1):63.
doi: 10.3390/insects16010063.

Cryptoblabes gnidiella Millière (Pyralidae, Phycitinae): An Emerging Grapevine Pest in Greece

Konstantinos B Simoglou  1   2 , Iraklis Topalidis  3 , Dimitrios N Avtzis  4 , Achilleas Kaltsidis  4 , Emmanouil Roditakis  2   5
Affiliations

Cryptoblabes gnidiella Millière (Pyralidae, Phycitinae): An Emerging Grapevine Pest in Greece

Konstantinos B Simoglou et al. Insects. .

Abstract

The honeydew moth, Cryptoblabes gnidiella Millière (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is native to the Mediterranean Basin. However, it has recently been reported as an emerging grapevine pest in southern European Union countries and in the Middle East, North Africa, and South America. This may be attributed to the global warming trends. In this brief communication, we present the first documented cases of honeydew moth infestation of grapevine in Greece, specifically in two organic vineyards in the Regional Unit of Drama in Northeastern Greece in 2024. Notably, the infestations were limited to the late-ripening grape cultivar 'Xinomavro', harvested in October, while other cultivars such as 'Assyrtiko', 'Malagousia', 'Cabernet sauvignon', 'Sauvignon blanc', 'Limniona', 'Chardonnay', and 'Agiorgitiko', harvested in late August and early September, showed no signs of infestation. This suggests that the actual impact of C. gnidiella in Greece may be underestimated, as previous late summer infestations of lepidopteran larvae in vineyards were likely misattributed to L. botrana. We discuss the potential implications and concerns regarding the occurrence and management of this pest in Greece.

Keywords: Greece; Mediterranean Basin; honeydew moth; pest management strategies; wine-producing areas.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) Male individual of Cryptoblabes gnidiella caught on a pheromone sticky trap; (b) a horn-shaped projection is present on the males’ third antennal segment; (c) detail of the horn-shaped projection on the males’ third antennal segment.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Grape ‘Xinomavro’ bunch infested by Cryptoblabes gnidiella larvae; (b) Cryptoblabes gnidiella larva on grape; (c) dark pinacula in conjunction with the SD1 setae on the larval mesothorax; (d) dark pinacula surrounding the SD1 setae on the eighth abdominal segment of the larva.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic representation of the number of male Cryptoblabes gnidiella captures within a pheromone trap.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Locations of vineyards infested by Crypboblabes gnidiella; Kali Vrysi, Drama, Greece. A, B: Infested Xinomavro vineyards.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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