A Beetle in a Haystack: Are There Alternate Hosts of the Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei) in Puerto Rico?

Abstract

Can the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei, or CBB) use host plants other than coffee for food and shelter? The use of fruits other than coffee has been reported. However, the validity of these reports depends on accurate identification of CBB, which is sometimes uncertain. In this study we sampled potential alternate hosts in coffee farms in Puerto Rico. Fruits with perforations were collected and examined for the presence of scolytid beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Scolytids were identified by morphology and DNA barcoding of the COI gene. Association between the presence of Inga vera and Guarea guidonia trees and infestation rate of CBB in coffee fruits was evaluated. Food preference tests were performed in the laboratory. A total of 3563 beetles were found and 587 were identified as Hypothenemus spp.; of these, 85 identifications were confirmed by DNA barcoding. Twenty-seven of the beetles identified were H. hampei, mostly in I. vera fruits in periods between coffee crops. Most scolytids identified were H. obscurus. In preference tests, some CBB initially penetrated G. guidonia fruits, but eventually chose coffee. There was no evidence of feeding or reproduction in fruits of G. guidonia or Cajanus cajan. The results show that in Puerto Rico it is rare to find CBB in fruits of alternate hosts. The scarcity of coffee fruits in the off-season might cause some CBBs to take refuge in other fruits, but they did not feed or reproduce in them in laboratory tests. Understanding the refugia of CBB in the off-season may be useful for designing effective management strategies.

Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei), a Global Pest of Coffee: Perspectives from Historical and Recent Invasions, and Future Priorities

“…Shade coffee was also observed to harbor more natural enemies of CBB, including ants and entomopathogenic fungi [ 112 ]. While the use of other host plants has been reported in H. hampei [ 156 ], a recent study conducted in PR found that CBB rarely use fruits of alternate hosts, and did not feed or reproduce in these fruits [ 157 ].…”

Establishing an Integrated Pest Management Program for Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei) in Hawaii and Puerto Rico Coffee Agroecosystems: Achievements and Challenges

“…In both areas, old berries ("raisins") served as reservoirs for up to six months after the final harvest. In contrast, berries on the ground have been observed to decompose quickly under humid conditions in Puerto Rico, such that fallen berries may not serve as a major reservoir of the pest in this region [21,35]. Several studies have suggested that CBB can survive in alternate hosts (see Vega et al [35] for a review); however, these claims are difficult to evaluate because CBB may be confused with other species of small scolytid beetles.…”

“…In contrast, berries on the ground have been observed to decompose quickly under humid conditions in Puerto Rico, such that fallen berries may not serve as a major reservoir of the pest in this region [21,35]. Several studies have suggested that CBB can survive in alternate hosts (see Vega et al [35] for a review); however, these claims are difficult to evaluate because CBB may be confused with other species of small scolytid beetles. In Puerto Rico, scolytid beetles were collected from possible alternate hosts and identified by DNA barcoding [35].…”

Revisión sobre la broca del café, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) con énfasis en la resistencia mediante antibiosis y antixenosis

“…;Vega et al 2020), dentro de la semilla, H. hampei pone los huevos Tabla 1. Detección de la broca del café y su registro en territorios y países productores de café en el mundo…”