Coffee berry borer

Hypothenemus subsulcatus belongs to the order Coleoptera and the family Curculionidae, subfamily Scolytinae. It is a tiny beetle that poses a significant threat to tropical plantations by specializing in the generative organs of host plants.

The primary crop affected by this pest is coffee (Coffea spp.). The beetle is capable of infesting both ripening and mature fruits by boring into the bean, making it extremely dangerous to the quality and yield of coffee production worldwide.

The biology of the pest is closely linked to the lifecycle of the coffee tree. The female beetle bores a hole into the fruit and deposits eggs directly into the endosperm of the seed. Larval development occurs inside the fruit, where they feed on seed tissues, passing through all stages of metamorphosis until reaching the adult stage.

Damage symptoms appear as small entrance holes on the surface of the coffee berries. Inside the bean, the larvae create tunnels, leading to partial or total destruction of the crop, loss of bean mass, and a significant reduction in market quality, rendering the coffee unsuitable for commercial sale.

Control measures require a comprehensive approach: regular sanitary cleanup of plantations to remove fallen fruits that may harbor overwintering beetles, the installation of pheromone traps for population monitoring, and the application of targeted insecticides during periods of peak adult flight to prevent further fruit infestation.