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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #366581
Research Project: Develop Pest Management Technologies and Strategies to Control the Coffee Berry Borer

Location: Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory

Title: Anatomical study of the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) using micro-computed tomography

Author
item ALBA, ALEJANDRE IGNAC - Universidad De Granada
item ALBA, TERCEDOR JAVIER - Universidad De Granada
item Vega, Fernando

Submitted to: Scientific Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/4/2019
Publication Date: 11/20/2019
Citation: Alba, A.I., Alba, T., Vega, F.E. 2019. Anatomical study of the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) using micro-computed tomography. Scientific Reports. 9:17150.

Interpretive Summary: The coffee berry borer is the most economically important insect pest of coffee worldwide. Increased knowledge on the basic biology the coffee berry borer can result in new insights on how to reduce damage caused by the insect. We report on the use of an x-ray imaging technique known as micro-computerized tomography to observe and identify the internal anatomy of the coffee berry borer. This information will be of use to coffee scientists, entomologists, and the coffee industry.

Technical Abstract: For more than 400 years, the study of the internal anatomy of insects has been based on traditional dissection techniques. A modern technique, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), allows to visualize the internal anatomy of insects in situ, and does not require dissections. We report on the use of micro-CT scans to study the circulatory, digestive, nervous, and reproductive system of the coffee berry borer, the most damaging insect pest of coffee worldwide. Being able to see the actual placement of organs and tissues in situ allows for a better understanding of the basic biology of the insect and could also be used as an insect anatomy teaching tool.