Control of Hypothenemus hampei (FERRARI) on yards for coffee drying

Abstract

The coffee borer (Hypothenemus hampei), one of the main pests affecting coffee fruits under favorable conditions for development, can contribute to a reduction in productivity. The control of this insect is basically chemical, causing environmental, food and farmer contamination. Thus, alternatives must be found to reduce the use of chemical insecticides in the control of this insect. The objective of this work was to analyze, in a coffee drying area: 1) the capture efficiency of traps placed at different heights: 0, 35 and 70 cm; 2) the period of greatest collection (0 to 96 hrs) and 3) the effect of Beauveria bassiana spraying, in two concentrations, on the coffee fruits. Traps were placed around the area, and the insects were collected at 24, 48, 72,and 96 hours. At the same time, the drying fruits were sprayed with two concentrations of B. bassiana to evaluate the mortality rate caused by the fungus found in the emerged borer. Results showed no significant difference regarding the capture of the insects in the traps placed at different heights, and the 48 hour interval registered the highest number of borers collected. The highest fungus concentration (1 x 1011 canidia/ml) caused a mortality rate, attested by B. bassiana of approximately 50% of the emerged borers.