Spent Coffee Grounds Do Not Control Cycad Aulacaspis Scale

Abstract

<jats:p>Cycad aulacaspis scale [CAS (<jats:italic>Aulacaspis yasumatsui</jats:italic>)] is a highly destructive pest insect worldwide. CAS feeds on cycad (<jats:italic>Cycas</jats:italic> sp.) plantings and is also posing a problem for the foliage industry. The use of spent coffee grounds to prevent or control CAS has received increased popularity in the last few years. This study assesses whether the application of spent coffee grounds is a realistic control method against CAS, and whether spent coffee grounds can be successfully used as a natural alternative to chemical pesticides. Two tests were performed during Summer 2010 and 2011. The first experiment assessed seven treatments: five coffee treatments, neem oil, and orange oil to control CAS on the debao cycad (<jats:italic>Cycas debaoensis</jats:italic>). In the second experiment, only coffee mulch was tested against the control on the debao cycad and fadang (<jats:italic>Cycas micronesica</jats:italic>). There was no statistical evidence of a difference between the control and the coffee mulch treatment with regard to infestation (insects per square centimeter). Soil pH differences were confirmed between control and coffee treatments, with the application of coffee mulch lowering pH by an average of 0.48. Spent coffee grounds did not have an effect on cycad mortality, but neem oil and orange oil increased cycad mortality.</jats:p>

Exposure of a Dengue Vector to Tea and Its Waste: Survival, Developmental Consequences, and Significance for Pest Management

“…The tea used in this study was Ever Green G401/G402 (Shanghai Tiantan International Trading Co., Ltd., China). Several studies have been carried out using remnants from a first extraction to mimic food waste and to assess the insecticidal properties of their aqueous extracts. − Therefore, here, we utilized used tea to mimic tea waste. The different test tea extracts were prepared according to a modification of the method reported previously for cigarette butt and coffee extracts.…”

Aulacaspis yasumatsui Delivers a Blow to International Cycad Horticulture

“…Soft approaches for suppressing A. yasumatsui infestations have been communicated also. For example, the use of coffee grounds for suppressing A. yasumatsui was promoted in Florida [96], but these assertions were not corroborated in a replicated trial [97]. Howard et al [3] were the first to determine the efficacy of imidacloprid for controlling A. yasumatsui, and this systemic insecticide may require the least amount of labor for chemical control of the scale.…”