Mussel shells are useful in vineyards

New Zealand grass grub beetles severely defoliate New Zealand grape vines and so far chemical control has dominated the vineyard management practices against this pest. Scientists González-Chang et al. have found that silicon-based dusts applied to vine leaves and crushed mussel shells placed in the under-vine areas can reduce the damage caused by this pest. They argue that changes in beetles’ flight behaviour after mussel shells were applied are responsible for this reduction in vine damage.