Project Number: 5320-22430-025-04
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Jul 15, 2011
End Date: Jul 14, 2013

Objective:
1. Establish attraction behavior of coffee berry borer. 2. Identify behaviorally active compounds using GC-EAD and GC-MS. 3. Validate attraction using lab and field bioassay and develop formulations and traps.

Approach:
Attraction studies - we proposed to develop information on potential attractants of CBB using proven techniques used against other pests. The first is a solid understanding of the pest behavior and ecology; especially as it related to host plants such as coffee. Due to the fact that the pest spends a significant part of its life cycle in the berry, it is unclear if conventional pheromones are important in the biology of this insect. However we suspect kairomones (plant derived volatile chemicals arising from the plant may serve as important behavior cues. Identification of these chemicals will be carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In order to determine if the chemicals are detected by the insect we will employ coupled gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD) and even gustatory electrophysiology (taste recordings). Putative identified chemicals will be tested behaviorally in behavior arena such as olfactometers and a behavioral “servosphere” which allows us to measure precise distances and angles of insect that walk towards or from chemicals. Repellents - repellents will be identified using many of the procedures lists about for attractants research. Since both repellents and attracts can give similar electrophysiological signals most of the discovery will be based on the “bioassay”, tests of the compound against the whole insect. Field testing - Once putative semiochemicals are found we plan to test these in the field to establish their efficacy under real-world situations. Formulations and/or dispensers for these new semiochemicals will be developed and tested in collaboration with private industry partners who can manufacture the semiochemicals and traps for purchase by the public. (Technology transfer)