Seasonal abundance and distribution of Planococcus ficus on grape vine in Sardinia

During 2006-2007, the seasonal spatial distribution of Planococcus ficus throughout the
vine was studied in a “Tendone system” trained vineyard, situated in the North of Sardinia (Italy).
Male flights were monitored by pheromone-baited traps, whereas eggs, crawlers, nymphs and females
abundance was estimated by counting on trunk, canes, spurs, leaves and bunches. Vine mealybug
developed throughout all the year in cryptic location under the bark of trunk and arms, overwintering
principally as fecundated female, or eggs in ovisacs. In April, the majority of crawlers were found
under the bark and, after bud break, also around the base of new shoots. Females of this generation
were detected in June, and crawlers of the second generation moved toward basal leaves. Females of
this generation peaked at the end of July, and the crawlers of the third generation colonised grape
bunches in late July-August. The maximum female density was recorded in October and, after the leaf
quality deterioration, the majority of mealybugs moved back under the bark. Males were captured by
pheromone traps from May to December and their population density showed three peaks in June, late
July and September-October, when the highest female density was recorded.