Vetiver traps sugar cane and corn borers

Those of you involved in sugar cane and corn production might appreciate that Guatemala's largest sugar plantation is now using large numbers of Vetiver slips to stabilize its fields. An interesting side observation is that Vetiver has reduced the incidence of sugarstem cane borers. As in the case of the maize borer, the moth prefers to lay its eggs on Vetiver leaves rather than on the cane or corn. The moth does not damage the Vetiver, however, the larvae, when hatched, dislike its hairy leaves and tumble onto the ground where they die or are gobbled by other predators. This follows Johnnie Van den Berg's (South Africa) "push-pull" proposals for the use of the Vetiver System. See:http://www.vetiver.org/ICV3-Proceedings/SA_stem%20borer.pdf

Dick Grimshaw