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Title: THE PRESENCE OF THE COFFEE BERRY BORER (SCOLYTIDAE) IN PUERTO RICO: FACT OR FICTION?

Author
item Vega, Fernando
item FRANQUI, R - UNIVERSIDAD PUERTO RICO
item BENAVIDES, PABLO - PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/18/2002
Publication Date: 7/15/2002
Citation: VEGA, F.E., FRANQUI, R.A., BENAVIDES, P. THE PRESENCE OF THE COFFEE BERRY BORER (SCOLYTIDAE) IN PUERTO RICO: FACT OR FICTION?. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE. 2002.

Interpretive Summary: The coffee berry borer, considered to be the most devastating pest of coffee, has been reported in most coffee producing countries, including Puerto Rico. A thorough review of the literature has revealed that the initial reports indicating the insect was present in Puerto Rico were based on an insect misidentification. The consequences of these mistaken reports have had important economic implications such as the placing of limits to Puerto Rican coffee exports. Thus, it is now clear that the insect was never in Puerto Rico, although this situation might change due to recent increases in coffee imports from the Dominican Republic, where the insect is present.

Technical Abstract: A detailed examination of the coffee berry borer literature shows that reports indicating the presence of the insect in Puerto Rico in the early 1940's were based on an insect misidentification. One of these erroneous reports was used in a widely cited coffee book that includes a list of countries where the insect was present. This has had important consequences, such as Puerto Rican coffee being included in quarantine lists (e.g., Mexico). Current coffee importations from the Dominican Republic might increase the possibilities for the insect to become established in Puerto Rico.