Hypothenemus hampei
5
Damage Signs
4
Organic Methods
2
Chemical Options
5
ID Tips
2
FAQs
1
Crops Affected
Updated February 2026
เห็น Coffee Berry Borer บนพืชของคุณ?
อัปโหลดภาพเพื่อระบุทันทีพร้อมวิธีควบคุมแบบอินทรีย์และเคมี
Overview
The most damaging insect pest of coffee worldwide, the coffee berry borer (CBB or broca) is a tiny beetle that bores into coffee cherries and feeds on the beans inside. It is present in all coffee-producing countries and causes estimated global losses of $500 million annually. CBB is particularly difficult to control because the beetle spends most of its life inside the cherry, protected from insecticide sprays.
Field Guide
Adults are very small (1.5-2.0 mm), dark brown to black cylindrical bark beetles. Females bore into coffee cherries through the navel (tip), creating a small round entry hole. Males are smaller and flightless — they never leave the cherry. Larvae are white, legless grubs found inside damaged beans.
Look for small (1 mm) round holes at the tip end of green or ripe coffee cherries
Cut suspect cherries open with a knife — damaged beans and beetles/larvae inside confirm CBB
Fine sawdust (frass) at the entry hole is diagnostic
Ethanol-methanol traps catch adult females — confirms presence and monitors population levels
CBB infests green (developing) cherries, not just ripe ones — check from early berry stage
Scouting Guide
Small round holes (1 mm diameter) at the tip (navel) of coffee cherries
Fine sawdust-like frass at the entry hole
Damaged beans with tunnels and galleries when cherry is cut open
Premature cherry drop (infested cherries fall before maturity)
Reduced bean weight and quality — 'insect damaged' beans rejected by buyers
Biology
Female bores into cherry, creates galleries in the bean, and lays 30-50 eggs. Larvae feed on the bean for 15-20 days. Complete lifecycle 25-35 days. All life stages occur inside the cherry. Males mate with siblings inside the cherry (extreme inbreeding). 8-10 generations per year.
Pest Management
Strip picking and sanitation
After harvest, strip ALL remaining cherries (raisins, floaters, dried) from trees and ground. These residual cherries are the primary source of CBB carryover between seasons.
Beauveria bassiana
Apply Beauveria bassiana spore suspension at 2 × 10⁹ spores/ml targeting adult females on cherry surfaces before they bore in. Apply during early cherry development.
Ethanol-methanol traps (Brocap)
Deploy Brocap traps (3:1 ethanol:methanol blend in red plastic bottle traps) at 20-25 per hectare for mass trapping of flying females.
Parasitoid wasps
Release Cephalonomia stephanoderis or Phymastichus coffea parasitoid wasps to attack CBB larvae and adults inside cherries. Established in some Latin American countries.
Use as last resort. Follow label instructions. Wear protective equipment.
Chlorpyrifos 480EC
Apply chlorpyrifos at 2 ml/L targeting adult beetles on cherry surfaces. Must be applied BEFORE females bore into cherries — once inside, they are protected. Observe pre-harvest interval.
Endosulfan (where still registered)
Endosulfan was the standard CBB insecticide but is now banned in most countries due to environmental and health concerns. Where still registered, apply at 2 ml/L.
Host Range
Coffee Berry Borer can attack 1 crop species.
Common Questions
The beetle spends 90%+ of its life inside the coffee cherry, protected from insecticide sprays, rain, and most natural enemies. The entry hole is tiny (1 mm) and difficult to penetrate with sprays. The narrow window for chemical control is when adult females are searching for cherries to colonize — before they bore in.
CBB-damaged beans have tunnels and frass inside, reducing bean weight by 10-20%. Damaged beans are classified as 'insect damaged' during grading, reducing the coffee's grade and price. Severe CBB damage can also promote mold growth inside beans, affecting flavor. Export-quality coffee typically allows less than 3% insect-damaged beans.
CuraPlant
Scan your crop and get an instant AI pest identification, damage assessment, and action plan — even offline.
