UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
i BULLETIN No. 550 
Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology 
L. O. HOWARD, Chief 
Washington, D. C. 
August 9, 1917 
CONTROL OF THE GRAPE-BERRY MOTH IN THE 
ERIE-CHAUTAUQUA GRAPE BELT. 
By Dwight Isely, Scientific Assistant, Deciduous Fruit Insect Investigations. 
CONTENTS. 
Introduction 1 
Food plant 2 
Distribution 2 
Economic status 2 
Destructiveness within a vineyard 3 
Summary of seasonal history and habits 4 
Feeding habits of larvae 5 
Flight of moths 5 
History of control methods 5 
Control experiments at North East, Pa 6 
Control experiments— Continued. Page. 
Eliminating vineyard conditions favor- 
able to the grape-berry moth 7 
Destruction of leaves in fall 8 
Bagging grape clusters 9 
Hand picking infested berries 9 
Early harvesting 12 
Burying hibernating pupse 12 
Spraying 13 
Summary and recommendations 39 
Literature cited 42 
INTRODUCTION. 
Of the grape pests of the Erie-Chautauqua grape belt none is more 
baffling to control or more discouraging to the vineyardist than the 
grape-berry moth (Polyclirosis viteana Clem.) (PL I). Owing to its 
direct attack upon the fruit, its ravages are felt at once wherever it is 
present in destructive numbers. It is ver}^ erratic in its occurrence, 
both locally and seasonally. In some years it may be practically 
absent from the majority of the vineyards of the belt, whereas in 
other years it is often not only the pest of first importance, but its 
ravages exceed those of all other pests combined. 
To establish means of control for this pest experiments were con- 
ducted at North East, Pa., during the seasons of 1914, 1915, and 1916. * 
i This investigation was conducted under the direction of Dr. A. L. Quaintance, Entomologist in Charge 
of Deciduous Fruit Insect Investigations of the Bureau of Entomology. At the outset the work was 
greatly facilitated by the temporary association of Mr. Fred Johnson, formerly of this' bureau, who 
placed at the writer's service his extended knowledge of grape insects and conditions in the Erie-Chau- 
tauqua grape region. The writer was assisted during the seasons of 1914 and 1915 by Mr. E. R. Selkregg 
and in 1916 by Mr. James K. Primm. Parallel with the experiments for direct control of the grape-berry 
moth, a study of its parasites was made by Mr. R. A. Cushman, from wbom valuable cooperation was 
received. To these gentlemen and the cooperating vineyardists the writer wishes to express his appre- 
ciation for numerous courtesies. 
Note.— This bulletin will be of interest to grape raisers in New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. 
87069°— Bull. 550—17—1 
