Natural parasitism of Metaparasitylenchus hypothenemi (Tylenchida: Allantonematidae) on the coffee berry borer in Chiapas,Mexico

We assessed the parasitism of Metaparasitylenchus hypothenemi on its host, the coffee berry borer, in 20 coffee plantations of Mexico. A total of 23,568 adult borers were dissected, with 179 of these infected with nematodes (0.76% infection rate). Although the level of parasitism is not encouraging, the nematode is another natural enemy, which limits the population growth of this pest in Mexico.     

Testing ant predation on the coffee berry borer in shaded and sun coffee plantations in Colombia

Soil‐dwelling ants, many of which are generalist predators, are more diverse in shaded than in sun coffee plantations without trees. We compared ant predation on the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in three shaded and three sun coffee plantations in Apía, Colombia, in both the wet and the dry seasons. We found that H. hampei adults exposed to ants for 5 days suffered higher removal in shaded plantations and in the wet season. In the laboratory, we observed that ants killed 74–99% of H. hampei adults over the course of 5 days. Ants appear to be important predators of H. hampei, particularly in shaded coffee plantations and in the wet season.     

Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis is highly toxic to the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei Ferr. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

A native collection of Bacillus thuringiensis strains was screened, once a reliable bioassay technique to assess the toxicity against the coffee berry borer (CBB) first-instar larvae was developed. A first round of bioassays with 170 strains indicated that the great majority of them showed no or very little insecticidal activity and that very few showed significant levels of toxicity. Interestingly, only those strains that had previously been associated with mosquitocidal activity were also toxic to CBB. Qualitative bioassays (using one high dose) were carried out only with those native mosquitocidal strains, corroborating their significant toxicity towards the CBB first-instar larvae. Most of these strains belong to serovar israelensis. In a second approach, strains from the Institut Pasteur type collection, whose mosquitocidal activity had been previously demonstrated, were also subjected to bioassays. Only those strains that showed a comparable protein content in their parasporal crystals to the israelensis type strain also showed high levels of toxicity towards CBB. Finally, an accurate LC(50) was estimated, using purified parasporal crystals from B. thuringiensis serovar israelensis type strain, at 219.5 ng cm(-2) of diet. All the statistical requirements for a reliable estimator were fulfilled. This is the first report of B. thuringiensis serovar israelensis being active against a coleopteran species.     

Abiotic mortality factors of the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei)

Mortality of the coffee berry borer was studied under controlled laboratory conditions in Tapachula, Mexico. For adult female borers subjected to a range of relative humidities (RH) without food at 25°C, the longest mean survival time (20 days) was obtained at 93.5% RH. Adult borer survival was also studied at a range of temperatures for a fixed relative humidity (93.5% RH); at 20°C mean survival time was 28 days. Fecundity and mortality of borer stages in berries was studied for a range of humidities at 25°C. Maximum fecundity was obtained at 90 and 93.5% RH. Immature stages were ejected from the berry at 84% RH and above, which is interpreted as a form of brood hygiene.     

Altitude and coffee production systems influence extent of infestation and bean damage by the coffee berry borer

The coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is one of the major insect pests of coffee worldwide. The present study was designed to assess the level of infestation of coffee berries at different developmental stages across different altitudes and coffee management systems. The experiment was carried out at three locations in southwestern Ethiopia under two coffee management systems and four coffee berry development stages with three replications. Results of the study showed significantly highest proportion of damaged berries (37.5%), number of holes per berry (10.88) and number of adult CBB per berry (7.55) on dried leftover berries at low-altitude study sites. On the other hand, the lowest mean percent damaged berries, number of holes per berry and number of adults were recorded at mid- and high-altitude study sites. The study also showed that, CBB caused significantly highest damage in plantation coffee management system than garden coffee. Results of this study highlight proper harvesting at red ripe stage in order to minimise incidence of CBB. It is also important to design integrated management strategies to mitigate CBB damage especially in lowland plantation coffee production systems.     

The parasitic nematode Metaparasitylenchus hypothenemi interferes with the endoparasitoid Phymastichus coffea,in the biological control of the coffee berry borer

We studied the interaction of Metaparasitylenchus hypothenemi with the exotic parasitoid Phymastichus coffea, when both natural enemies, co-ocurred inside the coffee berry borer adult. The nematode affects larvae and pupae of P. coffea, reducing by ten times the parasitoid’s adult progeny. We concluded that the negative effect caused by M. hypothenemi on the survival and development of juvenile stages of P. coffea could affect the action of this parasitoid as a natural enemy of this pest.     

Influence of host density on the reproductive strategy of Cephalonomia stephanoderis, a parasitoid of the coffee berry borer

The effect of the density of the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) on reproductive and host-feeding behaviours of the parasitoid Cephalonomia stephanoderis (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) was evaluated under laboratory conditions. The number of hosts used for oviposition was density-dependent at low host density. Beyond a density of six hosts/day, the oviposition rate reached a maximum of 1.2 eggs/day due to egg limitation. Cephalonomia stephanoderis females responded to increasing host availability with a linear increase in host feeding. Overall, parasitoids killed more coffee berry borers by feeding and paralysis than by parasitism. At low host density, the pre-oviposition phase was extended, oogenesis was delayed, more males were produced, and host feeding occasionally occurred concurrently with oviposition. We suggest that the efficacy of C. stephanoderis as a biological control agent depends on seasonal variations in host density. Inoculative vs inundative releases in coffee plantations are discussed in relation to the abundance of the coffee berry borer during the fructification and interharvest periods.     

Aphanogmus sp. (Hymenoptera: Ceraphronidae): a hyperparasitoid of the coffee berry borer parasitoid Prorops nasuta (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) in Kenya

This is the first report of a hyperparasitoid of Prorops nasuta, a primary parasitoid of the coffee berry borer. Aphanogmus sp. is a gregarious ectoparasitoid of larval and pupal stages of P. nasuta, which was found in coffee berry samples collected on the ground of an organic coffee plantation in Western Kenya. The hyperparasitoid shows a clear pattern of emergence from year to year, following its host. Aphanogmus sp. parasitizes around 10% of P. nasuta immature stages under field conditions.     

几种杀虫剂对热带雨林生态区红火蚁蚁巢和工蚁的灭杀效果

为筛选出适用于云南热带雨林生态区的红火蚁Solenopsis invicta Buren防治药剂,通过7种杀虫剂对红火蚁蚁巢田间灭除效果试验测定。结果表明,20%多杀霉素悬浮剂（SC）、30%螺虫·噻虫嗪悬浮剂（SC）、70%吡虫啉可湿性粉剂（WP）、10%溴虫氟苯双酰胺悬浮剂（SC）和1%联苯·噻虫嗪颗粒剂（GR）对红火蚁蚁巢处理效果较好,药后1 d和10 d虫口减退率分别在95%和90%以上。其中10%溴虫氟苯双酰胺SC和1%联苯·噻虫嗪GR可作为红火蚁巢点处置的首选药剂;0.05%茚虫威饵剂（EB）速效性差,但药后10 d虫口减退率上升到86.8%。1.8%阿维菌素乳油（EC）药后1 d和10 d虫口减退率分别为89.3%和81%。这2种药剂可与前5种药剂交替使用。     

Optimization of coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari (Col., Scolytidae), mass trapping with an attractant mixture

Mass trapping is a technique currently being considered to control the coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari (Col., Scolytidae), as part of the integrated management of its populations. However, the research undertaken in this field has variable and sometimes contradictory results. The purpose of this study carried out with a single type of trap (experimental model '1B') was to evaluate the technique and define parameters for its efficient use. The first result obtained was detection of the excellent attractant properties of the ethanol–methanol mixture, and its efficiency related to the proportion of the two alcohols. Coffee borers were not attracted to traps with caffeine, green coffee powder, freshly pulped and hulled coffee berries and ground CBB. It was shown that the ethanol–methanol mixture (1 : 1) release rate varied without affecting the capture rate, and that the red colour of the trap substantially increased CBB attraction. In terms of trap set-up, it was found that capture rates were three times better with a trap height at 1.2 m, than that for a position near ground level. In addition, the best density of traps for achieving efficient mass trapping was 22 units per hectare. These results show the importance of developing an attractant using pure compounds, and of improving the trap and the trapping technique in line with CBB behaviour.     

Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana applications on coffee berry borer across an elevation gradient in Hawaii

ABSTRACT

The effect of three rates of a commercial formulation of Beauveria bassiana Strain GHA was evaluated against the coffee berry borer (CBB) Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), at three commercial coffee farms located at different altitudes on the island of Hawaii. H. hampei infestation and natural prevalence of B. bassiana increased with the elevation. At 145 metres above sea level (Farm 1), beetle infestation was 3.9%; at 538?m (Farm 2), beetle infestation was 12.2%; and at 768?m (Farm 3) infestation was 22.3%. The prevalence of natural B. bassiana killing CBB was 5.5% on Farm 1, 3.3% on Farm 2 and 23.1% on Farm 3. Monthly applications of B. bassiana resulted in no significant differences in levels of CBB infestation among treatments. Similarly, rates of infested berries with visually detectable signs of B. bassiana were similar among the B. bassiana treatments, ranging from 0.44% to 4.24%, and those percentages were larger than the treatments without B. bassiana. The percentage of females killed by Beauveria ranged from 69% to 95%. Effect of dose of BotaniGard^® ES was reduced when beetles were in C position compared to A and B positions. B. bassiana can be an important component of an integrated pest management program for CBB.     

Identification of a coffee berry borer‐associated yeast: does it break down caffeine?

Two yeasts isolated from laboratory reared adult coffee berry borers [Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)] and from insects collected in the field in Colombia were identified as Pichia burtonii Boidin and Candida fermentati (Saito) Bai, based on sequencing of the nuclear large subunit 26S rDNA variable D1/D2 domain. Liquid culture experiments using P. burtonii in media containing different caffeine levels indicated that caffeine levels in a range found within coffee seeds can retard yeast growth. HPLC analysis shows that P. burtonii does not break down caffeine.     

Evaluation of potential entomopathogenic fungus,Beauveria bassiana,for controlling the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Taiwan

Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), a coffee berry borer (CBB), is a serious pest of coffee fruits and causes economic losses in the coffee industry. With the concerns of chemical control, an alternative eco-friendly management strategy such as microbial control has emerged as the times require. Herein, a total of thirty-three fungi were isolated from CBB cadavers. Two entomopathogenic fungal isolates, NCHU-271 and NCHU-272, which showed fast insect-killing activity, were subjected to molecular identification and named “Beauveria bassiana-NCHU-271” (Bb-NCHU-271) and “Beauveria bassiana -NCHU-272” (Bb-NCHU-272). Moreover, a virulence test of Bb-NCHU-271 and Bb-NCHU-272 against CBBs was also performed. Both Bb-NCHU-271 and Bb-NCHU-272 caused 100% mortality at 8 days post inoculation (d.p.i.) and a LT₅₀ of Bb-NCHU-271 by spraying 10⁸ conidia/ml was less than Bb-NCHU-272. Therefore, histological evidence of Bb-NCHU-271 infected CBBs was provided to proven the infection process of B. bassiana in CBBs. Furthermore, an infestation test was performed to evaluate the differences in CBB control efficacy between the treatments of “Borers exposed to EPF first” or “Berries exposed to EPF first”. The results revealed that the “Borers exposed to EPF first” of Bb-NCHU-272 caused significantly lower survival rates and higher mycosis rates than those of Bb-NCHU-271. Only slight control effects of Bb-NCHU-271 and Bb-NCHU-272 were also observed in the “Berries exposed to EPF” treatment. In conclusion, Bb-NCHU-271 and −272 showed controlling ability to the CBBs either before or after CBB infestation into coffee berries, while application of EPFs before the CBBs bored into coffee fruits could enhance the control effect.     

Molecular diversity of PBAN family peptides from fire ants

The PBAN/Pyrokinin peptide family is a major neuropeptide family characterized with a common FXPRLamide in the C‐termini. These peptides are ubiquitously distributed in the Insecta and are involved in many essential endocrinal functions, e.g., pheromone production. Previous work demonstrated the localization of PBAN in the fire ant central nervous system, and identified a new family of PBAN from the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. In this study, we identified five more PBAN/Pyrokinin genes from S. geminata, S. richteri, S. pergandii, S. carolinensis, and a hybrid of S. invicta and S. richteri. The gene sequences were used to determine the phylogenetic relationships of these species and hybrid, which compared well to the morphologically defined fire ant subgroup complexes. The putative PBAN and other peptides were determined from the amino acid sequences of the PBAN/pyrokinin genes. We summarized all known insect PBAN family neuropeptides, and for the first time constructed a phylogenetic tree based on the full amino acid sequences translated from representative PBAN cDNAs. The PBAN/pyrokinin gene is well conserved in Insecta and probably extends into the Arthropod phylum; however, translated pre‐propeptides may vary and functional diversity may be retained, lost, or modified during the evolutionary process. Published 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Efficacy of plant essential oils against two major insect pests of coffee (Coffee berry borer,Hypothenemus hampei,and antestia bug,Antestiopsis intricata) and maize weevil,Sitophilus zeamais

Coffee berry borer, antestia bug and maize weevil are serious pest of coffee and maize, respectively. Bioassays of plant essential oils were conducted with coffee berry borer, antestia bug and the maize weevil. Essential oils of Thymus vulgaris, Aloysia sp., Ruta chalepensis, Chenopodium ambrosioides and Cymbopogon nardus resulted in 80%–90% mortality of coffee berry borer, whereas essential oils of C. ambrosioides, T. vulgaris and R. chalepensis achieved 87.5%–92.5% mortality of antestia bug. Essential oils of C. ambrosioides caused significantly the highest percentage mortality of the maize weevils (95%) with “Lethal Dose” (LD₅₀) values of 2.202 ml 100 ml^?1 within 24 h after treatment, whereas essential oils of Mentha spicata, T. vulgaris and R. chalepensis resulted in 82.5%, 77.5% and 73.5% mortality, respectively. The potential of plant essential oils for the management of coffee berry borer, antestia bug and maize weevil for the small-scale farmers is discussed.     

Biodiversity in tropical agroforests and the ecological role of ants and ant diversity in predatory function

Abstract.  1. Intensive agricultural practices drive biodiversity loss with potentially drastic consequences for ecosystem services. To advance conservation and production goals, agricultural practices should be compatible with biodiversity. Traditional or less intensive systems (i.e. with fewer agrochemicals, less mechanisation, more crop species) such as shaded coffee and cacao agroforests are highlighted for their ability to provide a refuge for biodiversity and may also enhance certain ecosystem functions (i.e. predation).
2. Ants are an important predator group in tropical agroforestry systems. Generally, ant biodiversity declines with coffee and cacao intensification yet the literature lacks a summary of the known mechanisms for ant declines and how this diversity loss may affect the role of ants as predators.
3. Here, how shaded coffee and cacao agroforestry systems protect biodiversity and may preserve related ecosystem functions is discussed in the context of ants as predators. Specifically, the relationships between biodiversity and predation, links between agriculture and conservation, patterns and mechanisms for ant diversity loss with agricultural intensification, importance of ants as control agents of pests and fungal diseases, and whether ant diversity may influence the functional role of ants as predators are addressed. Furthermore, because of the importance of homopteran-tending by ants in the ecological and agricultural literature, as well as to the success of ants as predators, the costs and benefits of promoting ants in agroforests are discussed.
4. Especially where the diversity of ants and other predators is high, as in traditional agroforestry systems, both agroecosystem function and conservation goals will be advanced by biodiversity protection.     

Phylogenetic origins of African and Neotropical Beauveria bassiana s.l. pathogens of the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei

A phylogenetic epidemiological study of Beauveria bassiana s.l. was conducted for African and Neotropical pathogens of the coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei, based on inferences from two nuclear intergenic regions, EFutr and Bloc. CBB pathogens were distributed among four terminal clades, however, the majority of African and Neotropical isolates cluster in a well-supported monophyletic group, informally designated AFNEO_1. Although the relationship between African and Neotropical AFNEO_1 is unresolved, the majority of alleles detected were exclusive to either the African or the Neotropical populations. These fixed genetic differences suggest that their disjunction predates the world trade in coffee. Neotropical AFNEO_1 have a broad host range and CBB pathogens are intermixed phylogenetically with isolates from diverse indigenous insects. Several Neotropical AFNEO_1 isolates were isolated from coffee plants as epiphytes or endophytes, thus plants themselves may potentially serve as reservoirs of pathogens against their insect pests. Topological incongruence between the EFutr and Bloc phylogenies of Neotropical AFNEO_1 may signify that individuals within this population are recombining.     

Vegetation connectivity increases ant activity and potential for ant‐provided biocontrol services in a tropical agroforest

In natural and managed systems, connections between trees are important structural resources for arboreal ant communities with ecosystem‐level effects. However, ongoing agricultural intensification in agroforestry systems, which reduces shade trees and connectivity between trees and crop plants, may hinder ant recruitment rates to resources and pest control services provided by ants. We examined whether increasing connectivity between coffee plants and shade trees in coffee plantations increases ant activity and enhances biological control of the coffee berry borer, the most devastating insect pest of coffee. Further, we examined whether artificial connections buffer against the loss of vegetation connectivity in coffee plants located at larger distances from the nesting tree. We used string to connect Inga micheliana shade trees containing Azteca sericeasur ant nests to coffee plants to compare ant activity before and after placement of the strings, and measured borer removal by ants on coffee plants with and without strings. Ant activity significantly increased after the addition of strings on connected plants, but not on control plants. Borer removal by ants was also three times higher on connected plants after string placement. Greater distance from the nesting tree negatively influenced ant activity on control coffee plants, but not on connected plants, suggesting that connections between coffee plants and nest trees could potentially compensate for the negative effects that larger distances pose on ant activity. Our study shows that favoring connectivity at the local scale, by artificially adding connections, promotes ant activity and may increase pest removal in agroecosystems. Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.     

Arthropod prey of imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Mississippi sweetpotato fields

The red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta (Buren), are generally considered pests. They have also been viewed as beneficial predators feeding on other insect pests of various agroecosystems. This study documents the foraging habits of fire ants in a sweetpotato field in Mississippi. Fire ant foraging trails connecting outside colonies to a sweetpotato field were exposed and foraging ants moving out of the field toward the direction of the colony were collected along with the solid food particles they were carrying. The food material was classified as arthropod or plant in origin. The arthropod particles were identified to orders. Fire ant foragers carried more arthropods than plant material. Coleoptera and Homoptera were the most abundant groups preyed upon. These insect orders contain various economically important pests of sweetpotato. Other major hexapod groups included the orders Hemiptera, Diptera and Collembola. The quantity of foraged material varied over the season. No damage to sweetpotato roots could be attributed to fire ant feeding. Imported fire ant foraging may reduce the number of insect pests in sweetpotato fields.