Bioecologia da broca-do-café, "Hypothenemus hampei" (Ferrari, 1867) ("Coleoptera: Curculionidae, scolytinae"), na ilha de São Tomé

Abstract

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei, is serious limitation in organic coffee production in Sao Tome Island in the Gulf of Guinea, limited information regarding this species seasonal phenology on the islands limits the implementation of biological control. In the present study, seven coffee plantations were monitored over two years to describe infestation patterns, penetration rates into coffee berries, and mortality by the entomopathogenic fungus in two coffea species (C. arabica L. and C. canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner), according to 30-tree sampling of fruits following the "CENICAFÉ method". The results revealed that the borer position within the berries, infestation, and green berries with entomopathogenic fungus were significantly affected by coffee variety. The infestation mean across all seven sites was (11.5±3.5%; mean ± standard error (SE)), with two sites showing mean infestation <5%. Molecular analyse indicated four Beauveria bassiana strains (B-Bug; VKBb03 18S; bbR1f and LPSC 1226) present in São Tomé Island. The highest infestation and Beauveria bassiana rates per branch were observed in C. arabica L. (Red Caturra, Bourbon and Red Catuaí), compared with C. canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner (Robusta) in the months of lower rainfall. Borer immature stages (eggs, larvae and pupae) and adults were found throughout the sampling period. No CBB predator and parasitoids were observed in the survey. The population level and developmental rate indicated that the coffee borer met favourable environmental conditions in the studied areas and control measures are required for reducing damage.