Nemapogon granellus (L.) pest on corks of wine bottles stored for aging

The European grain moth, Nemapogon granellus (L.) (Lepidoptera, Tineidae), is reported as a pest in wine cellars where larvae feed on, and tunnel into, the corks of wine bottles. When tunnels ultimately connect both ends of the cork, the wine itself is affected and bottles rejected due to alteration in the organoleptic properties of the wine. Activity of larvae causes also aesthetic damage to the corks, which must be replaced before delivery to consumers. During 2011 and 2012 heavy infestations of European grain moth was observed in two Italian wine cellars, causing serious damage on exposed wine-bottle corks. The infestation occurred on high quality red wine bottles (approximately 13,000) stored for aging for over twenty years. In the control of N. granellus Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy was adopted: monitoring an trapping of adults with pheromone traps, accompanied by careful cleaning of the rooms, shelves and machinery, alternated with localized treatments using fogs with pyrethrum, and by the replacement of the infested corks. In addition, adoption of cellar sanitation procedures reduced the sources of pests as well as the possibility of insect reproduction.