How to protect crops against the coffee berry borer

The coffee borer (hypothenemus hampei) is the second most significant coffee pest in Brazil, especially in Arabica crops. In its adult phase, the insect is a small black beetle that can cause great damage if not managed correctly.

“Management of the coffee berry borer begins with a good harvest, eliminating as many beans as possible in the crop to remove the berry borer’s host. Traps installed at strategic points help to indicate the best period for application, and control should be carried out when the insect flies, and can be chemical or biological,” explains Patrick Rodrigues de Souza, consultant for the Technical Department at Cocari.

Impacts of the pest on coffee productivity

The damage caused by the borer can be severe, affecting up to 20% of productivity. The life cycle of the borer varies depending on the weather conditions. According to the Embrapa catalog, at a temperature of 27 ºC, this cycle variation occurs as follows:

• Egg: 4 days

• Larval period: 15 days

• Pre-pupa: 2 days

• Pupa: 8 day average

• Adult: male - 40 days; female lives on average 156 days

“The female creates galleries inside the fruits, where the larvae feed on the seeds, causing severe damage,” explains Patrick.

The consequences of borer infestation include premature fruit drop, reduced bean weight and reduced coffee quality due to the increase in borer beans.

“The holes in the grains caused by the larvae can serve as an entry point for pathogens, resulting in undesirable fermentations that compromise the quality of the drink,” warns Patrick.

Efficient monitoring and control

The coffee berry borer survives from one harvest to the next in the remaining fruits, making careful harvesting and monitoring essential.

“Monitoring should begin as soon as insects are in transit, identified by traps or visually in crops,” reinforces Patrick.

With strategies such as the use of traps, biological or chemical control and attention to crop management, coffee growers can significantly reduce the impacts of this pest.

Learn more:

• click here to see the products registered for the management of hypothenemus hampei