Submitted to: Journal of Applied Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/2016
Publication Date: 6/1/2017
Citation: Vega, F.E., Simpkins, A., Rodriguez-Soto, M.M., Infante, F., Biedermann, P.H. 2017. Artificial diet sandwiches reveal sub-social behavior in the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Scolytinae). Journal of Applied Entomology. 141:470-476.

Interpretive Summary: The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei, is the most devastating pest of coffee throughout the world and causes millions of dollars in losses each year. Increased knowledge on the basic biology of the coffee berry borer can result in new insights on how to control this insect, thereby reducing losses and increasing yields. In this paper we report on a new technique consisting of coffee berry borer artificial diet within two glass panes, which has proven useful in observing the behavior of the coffee berry borer, including gallery construction, oviposition, sanitation and tending of eggs and larvae. Our findings have important implications for understanding the basic biology of this major pest. This information will be of use to coffee scientists, entomologists, microbiologists, and the coffee industry.

Technical Abstract: A diet sandwich, consisting of coffee berry borer artificial diet within two glass panes, has been developed to elucidate the behavior of the coffee berry borer, an insect that in nature spends most of its life cycle inside the coffee berry. Various types of behavior have been observed for the first time, including gallery construction, oviposition, gallery blocking, and most remarkably, sub-social tasks like maternal sanitation and tending of eggs and larvae. This observation technique is (i) a breakthrough for studies and manipulations of the coffee berry borer’s social behavior, which will yield important insights into the origin of parental care in scolytine beetles, and (ii) may help to develop new management strategies for this notorious pest of coffee.