Implementing an integrated pest management program for coffee berry borer in a specialty coffee plantation in Colombia

The most economical important insect pest in coffee plantations around the world is the coffee berry borer (CBB) Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae).  High quality requirements for specialty coffee production with less 2% damage on parchment coffee make the control of CBB most challenging.  An integrated pest management (IPM) program for CBB based on recommendations of the National Coffee Research Center (Cenicafé) was established in a 110 ha specialty coffee farm “La Virginia” located in Algeciras, Huila, Colombia.  Workshops focus on cultural practices (improving the efficacy of harvesting), using of biological control (applications of Beauveria bassiana), physical control (postharvest) were conducted, and a monitoring program to reduced use of insecticide was established. Results over 3 years showed improvements on cultural, physical, and biological controls methods. Use of insecticides endosulfan/chlorpyrifos was reduced from 250 L in 2002 to 75 L in 2003, and 0 L in 2004. Use of B. bassiana applications was increased from 20 Kg in 2002 to 80 Kg in 2004. The efficacy of collection of mature coffee (hand harvesting) was improved by workers. In fact, the average of mature berries leaving per tree after harvesting  down from 22.2 in 2002 to 6.5 in 2004). The quality of parchment coffee increased (CBB damage was > 2.3 in 2002, 1.7% in 2003, and 0.7% in 2004). The proportion of coffee sold as specialty coffee increased from 50% to 86% during the same period. Our results have showed a successful IPM program for controlling CBB because damages caused by the pest were reduced and high quality of parchment coffees was increase despite the reduction of the insecticide applications.