Can an anti-erosive Andropogon gayanus live hedge help regulate millet stem borer infestation in neighbouring millet fields?

From 2008 to 2010, the effect of a wind erosion-alle viating practice, that is, planting of windbreaks of the perennial grass Andropogon gayanus Kunth on the populations of millet stem borer (MSB) Coniesta ignefusalis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera: Pyralid ae) and the damage induced by this pest to pearl millet, was studied at Sadore (Niger). The extent of bored stems in the A. gayanus hedge bordering millet plots (23% on average) was significantly lower than in th e millet plots (76% on average), with no MSB larva recovered, compared to an averag e of 2.2 larvae per stem in the millet plots over the three years. Andropogon grass was thus ruled out as a trap crop for MSB management. Under the conditions of this study, a pest regulation service by Andropogon grass hedges, synergistic with a potential wind erosion alleviating service, cannot be put forward. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]