Coffee flower midge

The coffee flower midge (Contarinia coffeae) belongs to the family Cecidomyiidae within the order Diptera. This minute insect is specialized in attacking the reproductive organs of coffee trees, representing a significant economic pest in major coffee-growing regions, particularly in India.

The primary crop affected by this pest is coffee (Coffea arabica). The midge exhibits high host specificity, primarily targeting young flower buds and developing ovaries, which leads to substantial yield losses during the early stages of fruit formation.

The life cycle of the insect is synchronized with the flowering and fruiting phenology of coffee trees. Adult midges deposit eggs into unopened flower buds. Upon hatching, the larvae feed on the internal tissues of the flower or ovary. Pupation typically occurs either within the damaged plant tissue or in the soil, depending on the environmental conditions.

The damage caused by the midge is characterized by the deformation and subsequent abortion of flower buds. Infested buds often fail to open and may develop a yellowed appearance. The pest induces premature shedding of young berries, which can result in a significant reduction of the total harvest if not managed properly.

Control measures rely on an integrated pest management (IPM) approach:

• Regular monitoring of plantations during the flowering season.
• Manual removal and destruction of infested buds.
• Application of biological control agents or targeted chemical insecticides.
• Synchronized treatments during periods of peak adult activity to disrupt the egg-laying cycle.

Proper sanitation of the plantation floor is also recommended to reduce the population of pupae that overwinter or survive in the soil debris, thereby breaking the pest's cycle for the subsequent season.