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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #414369
Research Project: Development of New and Improved Surveillance, Detection, Control, and Management Technologies for Fruit Flies and Invasive Pests of Tropical and Subtropical Crops

Location: Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research

Title: Vertical and temporal flight patterns of coffee berry borer (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in Hawaii

Author
item Johnson, Melissa
item Maeda, Colby
item PULAKKATU-THODI, I - North Carolina State University

Submitted to: Environmental Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/13/2024
Publication Date: 5/29/2024
Citation: Johnson, M.A., Maeda, C.T., Pulakkatu-Thodi, I. 2024. Vertical and temporal flight patterns of coffee berry borer (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in Hawaii. Environmental Entomology. 53(4):640–647. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvae051.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvae051

Interpretive Summary: We found that CBB flight on Hawaii Island primarily occurs at ~1 m in height, with flight decreasing significantly as altitude increases up to 5 m. We observed infestation patterns in the tree that coincided with that observed from trapping; CBB infestation in low branches (~1 m) was significantly higher than that observed in high branches (~3 m). We also found that daily CBB flight increased with increasing temperature and wind speed; in contrast, a negative correlation was observed between flight and relative humidity. Across the entire season, peak flight occurred from 12-4 pm. Our investigation into CBB flight activity suggests that pesticide sprays should target low to mid-level branches at 1-2 m in height and aim to be conducted in the early afternoon when CBB are actively flying and are most vulnerable to chemical controls.

Technical Abstract: Coffee berry borer (CBB, Hypothenemus hampei) is the most damaging insect pest of coffee worldwide, causing significant losses in coffee yields and quality. Knowledge of daily flight patterns and the height at which CBB fly could be used to optimize spray timing and precision targeting of areas within the coffee tree which may be more susceptible. In the present study we estimated the flight height of CBB females using traps set at 1 m intervals up to 5 m in height. We also quantified CBB infestation in the low, mid, and high canopy and documented fruit availability. Daily flight patterns were estimated using timer traps and correlation analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between flight and weather variables. Across the four study sites, we observed that 77-84% of the trap catch was at 1 m, 11-20% was at 2 m, and 1-4% was at 3-5 m in height. Fruit infestation was significantly higher in the low branches (35%) relative to high branches (17%). Flight height remained the same year-round regardless of fruit availability. CBB flew in low numbers during the day and night but peaked from 12-4 pm. Daily flight was positively correlated with an increase in air temperature and wind speed, and negatively correlated with relative humidity. Findings from this study suggest that pesticide sprays should target low to mid-level branches at 1-2 m in height and aim to be conducted in the early afternoon when CBB are actively flying and are most vulnerable to chemical controls.