Grapevine moths

I refer to the news item Grapevine Moth Threatens Sonoma County In The US on the wines page (April 9). The item correctly refers to the European Grapevine Moth (Lobesia botrana) which has in fact been causing damage to vineyards in the Napa Valley of California and was also recorded from Sonoma County in late March. However, the accompanying image shows the Australian Grapevine Moth (Phalaenoides glycine), a large moth with a wingspan which can reach five cm. The European Grapevine Moth is a totally different and much smaller species (wingspan one cm).

True to its name, the European Grapevine moth is common all over the grape growing regions of Europe, including Malta. Known in Maltese as Susa tal-Għeneb, it occasionally causes damage to grapevines, mainly when the caterpillar bores into the ripening grapes. Fortunately, the Australian Grapevine Moth is restricted to Eastern Australia and the European Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) does not consider it a Quarantine pest (a pest which could potentially reach Europe).