Abstract
Higher population densities of earwigs in vineyards are associated with increased feeding on soft parts of the vine, the spread of fungal pathogens and, in particular, off-flavours in the wine, which are caused by the repulsive defence secretions released by the insects. In two vineyards in Klosterneuburg, the effect of kaolin treatment of grapes on earwig colonisation was studied. Significantly fewer earwigs were present in treated clusters of all varieties at all times of sampling, the treatment’s efficacy (according to Abbott) was between 51.9 and 62.4 %. Further trials must show whether higher application rates of kaolin and suitable wetting agents can further improve the effect of the particle films.