Predation by flat bark beetles (Coleoptera: Silvanidae and Laemophloeidae) on coffee berry borer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Hawaii coffee

Abstract

Coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a serious pest of coffee worldwide and a new invasive pest in Hawaii. Adult flat bark beetles, mainly Leptophloeus sp. (75%) and Cathartus quadricollis (21%) (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae and Silvanidae, respectively), were found inside CBB-infested coffee beans on the tree and molecular marker studies confirmed feeding on CBB. Research was conducted to better understand the ecology of these predators and explore ways to increase their role in suppressing CBB populations in coffee. Laboratory feeding assays demonstrated the capacity for adult and larval flat bark beetles to feed on all CBB life stages. The predators are widely distributed in the coffee growing areas on the island of Hawaii, but feed mainly in dried coffee on the tree rather than in ripening berries where initial crop damage occurs. Berlese funnel extraction of flat bark beetles from dried beans on the tree indicated that predator numbers can be relatively high (up to 23 adult predators per 150 bean sample). C. quadricollis was not susceptible to infection by the fungal biopesticide Beauveria bassiana which is used for field control of CBB in coffee. Leptophloeus sp. and C. quadricollis can be raised easily on a diet of cracked corn and cornmeal. Augmentative releases of generalist flat bark beetle predators like Leptophloeus sp. and C. quadricollis may be a useful component of integrated pest management programs against coffee berry borer and other scolytine pests.

Integrated Pest Management of Coffee Berry Borer in Hawaii and Puerto Rico: Current Status and Prospects

“…However, endemic predators such as the flat bark beetle Cathartus quadricollis (Coleoptera Silvanidae) and Leptophloeus spp. (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae) are common in macadamia crops, and can be effective predators of CBB, especially in fallen berries [ 37 , 38 ]. These native predators could help regulate CBB outbreaks.…”

“…These native predators could help regulate CBB outbreaks. Ongoing research is currently exploring conservation and augmentation strategies for C. quadricollis through the provision of on-farm ‘breeding stations’ [ 38 ] as well as the introduction of the CBB parasitoids Phymastichus coffea (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), Cephalonomia stephanoderis, and Prorops nasuta (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) [ 30 ].…”

Incorporating Beauveria bassiana Into an Integrated Pest Management Plan for Coffee Berry Borer in Hawaii

“…Currently, management strategies for the CBB in Hawaii include pruning, sanitation of infested berries, and pesticide applications (Aristizábal et al, 2016(Aristizábal et al, , 2017bKawabata et al, 2017;Aristizábal, 2018b). Studies investigating additional control tactics, such as the release of CBB-predatory beetles (Follett et al, 2016) and the introduction of specific parasitoids (Follett, 2018), are ongoing. Among the few available insecticides in Hawaii, B. bassiana is compatible with environmental and worker safety concerns (Kawabata et al, 2017;Greco et al, 2018).…”

Spatial distribution and losses by grain destroying insects in transgenic corn expressing the toxin Cry1Ab

“…However, the losses caused by the former were higher than those caused by latter. Larvae and adults of the square-necked beetle are stored grain pests, but are also predators of other insect larvae, such as coffee berry borer [ 49 ]. As there were coffee plantations around the area where the experiment was carried out, this may have contributed to the greater damage caused by the square-necked beetle.…”