Sterility of the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), caused by the nematode Metaparasitylenchus hypothenemi (Tylenchidae: Allantonematidae)

Authors: CASTILLO, ALFREDO - Ecosur; MARTINEZ, FELIX - Ecosur; GOMEZ, JAIME - Ecosur; CISNEROS, JUAN - Ecosur; Vega, Fernando

Submitted to: Biocontrol Science and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/11/2019
Publication Date: 3/21/2019
Citation: Castillo, A., Martinez, F., Gomez, J., Cisneros, J., Vega, F.E. 2019. Sterility of the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), caused by the nematode Metaparasitylenchus hypothenemi (Tylenchidae: Allantonematidae). Biocontrol Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2019.1597336.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2019.1597336

Interpretive Summary: The coffee berry borer is the most devastating pest of coffee throughout the world and causes millions of dollars in losses each year. Biologically based insect pest management using nematodes reduces damage to crops and saves farmers time and money. In this paper we report on the sterility that the nematode species Metaparasitylenchus hypothenemi causes to the coffee berry borer. This information will be of use to coffee scientists, entomologists, and the coffee industry.

Technical Abstract: Metaparasitylenchus hypothenemi is an endoparasitic nematode that causes partial or total sterility of coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) females, although the causes are unknown. Fecundity and the average size of the common and lateral oviduct, vitellarium, and germarium in the four ovarioles (I, II, III and IV) were compared between parasitized and non-parasitized insects to determine the causes of sterility. The nematode significantly lowers the number oocytes and causes sterility in 86% of parasitized females, while fecundity in the remaining 13% was non-significantly different to that in non-parasitized insects. No significant differences were recorded in the size of the common oviduct, lateral oviduct, vitellarium, and germarium between parasitized and non-parasitized insects and the nematode does not cause any apparent damage on the surface of the ovary. The significantly reduced fecundity in parasitized coffee berry borers, caused by a reduction in the number of oocytes, could have a potential impact on natural populations of the insect.