Testing what we know about coffee volatiles affecting behaviour of Hypothenemus hampei

Abstract

AbstractCoffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytinae), is a major pest of coffee worldwide. CBB females use berry volatiles while searching for hosts. Coffee volatiles can be used for monitoring CBB populations. The main objective of this study was to test under laboratory and field conditions bioactive compounds for H. hampei. In the laboratory, CBB females were attracted to the methanol‐ethanol blend (MEB), but not to methylcyclohexane, ethylbenzene, nonane, methyl salicylate, verbenone, α‐pinene, farnesene, and frontalin compared to clean air. In contrast, CBB females preferred clean air over linalool. Females were attracted to most of the tested compounds combined with the MEB over clean air, except farnesene, α‐pinene, and linalool. Females preferred clean air to α‐pinene or linalool, and they showed no preference for clean air or farnesene. Females also preferred the MEB over linalool, verbenone, α‐pinene, or farnesene when combined with MEB. The combination of tested compounds and the MEB did not increase the capture of CBB in the field. Interestingly, α‐pinene and linalool alone, or combined, inhibited the capture of CBB females and non‐target insects by trapping bait with the MEB. Thus, α‐pinene or linalool can be used in a push‐pull strategy considering the low impact over non‐target insects.