Location: Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research
Title: An introduction to the square-necked grain beetle as a predator of coffee berry borer in Hawai'iAuthor
KAWABATA, ANDREA - University Of Hawaii | |
Follett, Peter | |
WRIGHT, M - University Of Hawaii | |
BRILL, E - University Of Hawaii | |
CURTISS, R - Hawaii Department Of Agriculture |
Submitted to: University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Bulletin
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2016 Publication Date: 11/1/2016 Citation: Kawabata, A., Follett, P.A., Wright, M., Brill, E., Curtiss, R. 2016. An introduction to the square-necked grain beetle as a predator of coffee berry borer in Hawai'i. University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Bulletin. Insect Pests Series 40. Interpretive Summary: The square-necked grain beetle, Cathartus quadricollis, is a predator of coffee berry borer in Hawai'i coffee. This predator is a minor stored product pest and can be reared in large numbers at low cost on cracked corn for augmentative biological control. Hawai'i coffee farmers are releasing home-grown square-necked grain beetles in large numbers. Cathartus quadricollis is not susceptible to Beauveria bassiana, a fungal biopesticide used for coffee berry borer control, so it fits well with current IPM programs. Technical Abstract: Biological control can be an important component of integrated pest management programs. Coffee berry borer is a new pest of Hawaii coffee that arrived with no apparent natural enemies. The square-necked grain beetle, Cathartus quadricollis, has been present in Hawaii for many years and has become one of the main predators of coffee berry borer in Hawai'i coffee. This predator is a minor stored product pest and can be reared in large numbers at low cost on cracked corn for augmentative biological control. Hawai'i coffee farmers are releasing home-grown square-necked grain beetles in large numbers. Cathartus quadricollis is not susceptible to Beauveria bassiana, a fungal biopesticide used for coffee berry borer control, so it fits well with current IPM programs. Further research is needed to understand the impact of this predator on coffee berry borer. |