Factors related to native host abandonment by the coffee berry borer <i>Hypothenemus hampei</i> (Ferr.) (Col., Scolytidae)

Abstract

Abstract The coffee berry borer (CBB) Hypothenemus hampei is a serious pest of coffee berries. The ‘interseason’ is the most critical period for this beetle because at this time the vast majority of remaining berries or new immature berries are unsuitable for the development of this pest. CBB abandons its native berry to search for another host berry. This work shows that some factors affect the abandonment of female and specifies some biological characteristics of the particular female of the interseason. The following results were observed. A positive correlation was established between insolation and abandonment. Abandonment increased when immature berries were present close to the infested berries. The fecundation rate of colonizing females was 93% and the average survival time without food after abandonment of the berry was around 11 days. A pattern of the survival strategy developed by CBB at the interseason is proposed.