Sforza, R., & Daane, K.A. 2008 Biocontrol of Planococcus ficus in the vineyards: A multidisciplinary study.. Proceedings of the XI International Symposium on Scale Insect Studies, Oeiras, Portugal, 24-27 September 2007. ISA Press Lisbon, Portugal 322 pp.

Notes: The vine mealybug (VMB), Planococcus ficus (Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae) is a serious pest of grapevine, inducing severe damage, particularly on table grapes, in South African and Californian vineyards. VMB is native to Eurasia, particularly around the Mediterranean basin. We recently undertook a multidisciplinary study to explore the native range for collecting natural enemies and to evaluate genetic diversity of the VMB populations in the frame of a biocontrol strategy. Firstly, foreign exploration for natural enemies revealed the presence of predators and parasitoids, specifically the wasp Anagyrus pseudococci (Encyrtidae). Surveys in southern France showed that out of the 390 VMB collected in August 2006, 91 (23%) resulted in the emergence of a wasp, and 42 mummified VMB (11%) did not emerge. From the 23 %, 85 % were A. pseudococci and 15 % were the hyperparasite, Chartocerus sp. From these results, we can say that A. pseudococci is the unique parasitoid of VMB in the area surveyed, and that its parasitism occurs late in the season. Similar results were obtained in Crete. In addition, seasonal activity of VMB was studied using sex pheromone delta traps, and these data will be presented. Secondly, living A. pseudococci, from Crete were shipped to California for mass rearing before future field releases. Thirdly, in order to pinpoint the origin of the Californian populations, extensive samplings of VMB were made in the native range. Over 50 populations of Planococcus sp. were sampled in 2005-2006 in the Euro-Mediterranean basin, from 8 countries, to be analyzed for genetic comparison with Californian invasive populations. Using molecular genetic markers, we have resolved the population structure among the VMB collected. Results strongly suggest that the Middle East is the likely origin of the Californian and Mexican VMB. Also of interest, the new world VMB populations from Argentina and South Africa have a different origin, falling much closer with Spanish and other European samples. These results will help to target future areas in the native range for collecting parasitoids long term associated with VMB. The multidisciplinary studies for a biocontrol program ensures a better understanding of the problem, and aims to increase the efficacy of this environmentally safe management strategy.