Impact of a habitat management system on diversity and abundance of maize stemborer predators in Western Kenya

Published source details Midega C.A.O. & Khan Z.R. (2003) Impact of a habitat management system on diversity and abundance of maize stemborer predators in Western Kenya. Insect Science and its Application, 23, 301-308.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Combine trap and repellent crops in a push-pull system Action Link

Combine trap and repellent crops in a push-pull system

A randomised, replicated, controlled study in 2001-2002 in western Kenya (Midega & Khan 2003) found more natural predators in push-pull maize Zea mays systems than in maize monocultures at three sites and in all maize growth stages. More predatory ants (Formicidae) occurred in push-pull than control plots (averaging 38-73 vs. 22-28 ants/maize growth stage in 2001, 38-109 vs. 23-59 ants in 2002) in all maize growth stages. More spiders (Araneae) occurred in push-pull than control plots in all stages in 2001 (14-35 vs. 10-20 spiders) and in the early and flowering (but not mature) stages in 2002 (11-30 vs. 7-13 spiders). More earwigs (Dermaptera) occurred in push-pull than control plots during the early (pre-flowering) stage (16 vs. 7 earwigs) but populations were similar or showed inconsistent differences in other stages. Two important predators of pest stem borers (Lepidoptera), including a ladybird Cheilomenes sp. and a lacewing Chrysopa sp., were only found in push-pull plots. Push-pull systems were tested in two long rainy seasons and comprised maize with a Napier grass Pennisetum purpureum or Sudan grass Sorghum vulgare sudanese trap crop and a silverleaf desmodium Desmodium uncinatum repellent crop. Fields were 30 x 30, 40 x 40 or 50 x 50 m.