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.