‘The Garlic Gambit’: an alternative strategy for controlling vine weevil (<i>Otiorhynchus sulcatus</i> F.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Plant protection products derived from plant material are proposed to be a sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic chemical pesticides. This study determines the efficacy of a commercially available bioinsecticide based on garlic (Allium sativum L.; Asparagales: Amaryllidaceae) extract against vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus F.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae) eggs and larvae in contact, fumigation and a combination of contact and fumigation bioassays under laboratory conditions. Results showed that garlic significantly reduced egg hatch rate compared to the control group when applied as a fumigant. Similarly, the egg hatch rate was reduced compared to the control group when garlic was applied as combined contact and fumigant applications. No effect was observed when the garlic product was applied as a contact application. The bioinsecticide significantly reduced larval survival when either contact or fumigant applications were used. A combined contact and fumigant effect was shown also when vine weevil eggs were exposed to the bioinsecticide for 30 days in plastic containers containing growing media. The number of larvae recovered after this period was significantly reduced compared to the control group. This study demonstrates the potential of garlic-based bioinsecticides, such as Pitcher GR, for vine weevil control. Further studies are, however, needed to determine the efficacy of such bioinsecticides under field conditions and investigate how these products can be most effectively used as a part of a wider vine weevil integrated pest management program.