Coffee Bean Weevil, a Pest of Citrus in Florida: Injury to Citrus, Occurrence in Citrus, Host Plants, and Seasonal Activity12

Abstract

Coffee bean weevil (CBW), Araecerus fasciculatus (De Geer), is a sporadic pest of citrus in Florida. Females oviposit into the albedo of fruit, followed by larval feeding and development within fruit. Pupation occurs within fruit, and adults emerge by chewing exit holes. Adults of both sexes infrequently chew holes in the peel of healthy fruit. Premature fruit drop occurs from both types of injury. Only immature or mature fruit on trees of five varieties (‘Hamlin,’ ‘Washington’ navel, ‘Valencia,’ and ‘Pineapple’ orange, and ‘Marsh’ grapefruit) have been attacked by CBW. All motile stages of CBW are found feeding and developing throughout the year in dried (= mummified) citrus fruit, whether attached to living or dead trees or as drops. Chinaberry, Melia azedarach L., was the next most frequently encountered host plant present within or around the perimeter of citrus groves previously attacked by CBW. Forty-nine species of plants are hosts of CBW, including 18 varieties or species of citrus in Florida. The insect has multiple and overlapping generations, with larvae, pupae, and adults present in one or more host plants each month of the year.