A. Gallardo

Forecasting the flight activity of Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) in Southwestern Spain

This study aimed at elaborating a forecasting tool of the phenology of the serious pest Lobesia botrana in Southwestern Spanish vineyards, by analysing data on male catches in sex pheromone traps recorded over a 12‐year period. Our data confirmed the minor importance of the first generation which appears during flowering time, both in terms of male trap catches and damage of L. botrana to the inflorescences. Therefore, data related to the first flight were not further processed, although they were considered for the computation of degree‐days of the following generations. The outcome of the elaboration of temperature accumulations and data on male captures for the second and third flights was a statistically acceptable linear behaviour obtained by properly transforming the variables. The models established proved to be efficient and may represent a useful tool to improve the efficacy of integrated pest management strategies targeting L. botrana in the studied region.

Distribution of Coraebus undatus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in cork oak forests of southern Spain

Coraebus undatus is a beetle which excavates galleries in the cork tissue, leading to important economic reductions in quantity and quality of cork that can be harvested from cork oak Quercus suber. Andalusia (southern Spain) produces around 14% of the worlds cork supplies and leads the way in cork production in Spain. By analysing distribution patterns and infestation levels of C. undatus in different cork oak forests of southern Spain, useful information for implementing sustainable management of the pest can be obtained. We recorded the level of beetle infestation in cork oak forests by observing the traces left by larval galleries in trees that had recently been de-corked. Our results reveal a widespread distribution for C. undatus and a high percentage of infested oaks (>70%) in almost all cork oak forests in southern Spain. The most damaged forests were located in the areas with the highest density of cork oak forests and a dominant understory.

Forecasting infestation by Coraebus undatus (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) in cork oak forests

Larvae of the buprestid beetle Coraebus undatus feed on the cork-generating layer of cork oaks, seriously affecting cork quality and reducing the monetary value of cork plank which is used by the wine industry. The galleries of C. undatus are only observable after cork bark has been removed; therefore if, prior to harvesting, trees that have a high likelihood of having been infested can be identified, control measures can be applied to good effect, thus reducing the cost of insecticide applications. Here, we identify the variables that can provide reliable information on infestations. Prominent among these is the presence of chlorotic spots, as it provides direct information on presence of C. undatus galleries. Other useful variables are the degree of defoliation and, as regards ants, the absence of Crematogaster scutellaris and the presence of Camponotus cruentatus.

Current distribution and characterization of the wild grapevine populations in Andalusia (Spain)

For decades, human activities have gradually destroyed the natural habitats of wild grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi, and nowadays this species is endangered in southern Europe. In this paper, 94 populations of this species have been localized and characterized in the Andalusian region in the Iberian Peninsula between 1989 and 2013. Location, ecological aspects, and sanitary characteristics are described. Must properties and in vitro tolerance to calcareous conditions were also checked. The paper also contains a global description of female and male individuals. Two hundred individuals from six river basin populations have been sampled, and their genetic structure analyzed by using 25 nuclear microsatellites loci to investigate the gene diversity of wild grape populations in Andalusia at two levels: total individuals and at river basin populations. Also, the genetic relationship of wild and cultivated accessions has been tested. Wild grapevine is considered the ancestor of the cultivated varieties and should be preserved as this material could be used to start breeding programs of cultivated varieties and also to restore riverbank forests, which constitute one of the worst preserved ecosystems in the area.