Coffee Leaf Miner Leucoptera Coffeella Research Articles

Hidden target, hidden effects: chlorantraniliprole on the coffee leaf miner (Leucoptera coffeella).

Agricultural insecticide usage presents a complex challenge, particularly when addressing hidden targets such as concealed pest species. Typically, insecticide spraying targets either the host plant or the soil substrate, reaching the target when the pests move or feed, yet their vulnerability when concealed remains low. This study delves into the often-obscure effects of insecticides on hidden herbivore species, focusing specifically on the diamide insecticide chlorantraniliprole and its impact on the concealed insect herbivore, the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville & Perrottet) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetidae). We document the progressive effects of chlorantraniliprole from egg-laying through the insect's development and reproductive output. By examining egg-laying preferences, development, survival, respiration rate, leaf consumption, and polysaccharide and protein accumulation, alongside fecundity, in two field-collected leaf miner populations, we elucidate chlorantraniliprole's broader effects. While the insecticide did not alter the leaf miner's egg-laying preferences, one population exhibited higher larval survival, indicating chlorantraniliprole resistance. This chlorantraniliprole-resistant population displayed a lower respiration rate-indicative of reduced stress-and higher leaf consumption, accompanied by increased sugar and protein accumulation. Although this population showed lower adult longevity, it exhibited higher fecundity. These findings highlight the multifaceted impacts of insecticides, extending beyond survival to affect development, fecundity, and potential fitness. Variations in response among insect populations suggest that resistant insects may outperform susceptible ones even under sublethal exposure, with significant implications for management strategies and future outbreaks.

Testing the Effects of Prey Type on the Life History and Population-Level Parameters of Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

Green lacewings are valuable predators, utilized in augmentative biological control against various agricultural pests. However, further studies are required to comprehend the performance of these predators when consuming natural prey. We investigated the capacity of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) to utilize the following three distinct prey types: the pupae of the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville & Perrottet), the eggs of the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis (F.), and the eggs of the Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller). The first two of these species are naturally occurring prey found in field crops, while the last serves as a factitious prey species for the mass rearing of natural enemies. We hypothesized that the type of prey would differentially affect the life history and population-level parameters of C. externa. Laboratory experiments were conducted to compare the pre-imaginal survival and developmental times, adult longevity and reproduction, and population growth of C. externa when larvae were provided with each of the three prey items. Results indicated that C. externa utilized the two natural prey items, L. coffeella pupae and D. saccharalis eggs, for its development, reproduction, and population growth. However, larvae developed significantly faster and females exhibited higher reproductive parameters, including fecundity and daily oviposition, when consuming the factitious prey, E. kuehniella eggs. This resulted in a higher intrinsic rate of population increase, as well as shorter times for the population to double in size. Understanding the population dynamics of C. externa when consuming different prey items is crucial for optimizing their utilization in augmentative biological control programs.

Identifying Areas of Invasion Risk and Changes in the Ecological Niche Occupied by the Coffee Leaf Miner Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae).

Insects of economic importance such as Leucoptera coffeella can cause high defoliation in plants and reduce crop yields. We aimed to identify changes in the ecological niche and potential zones of the invasion. Occurrence records were obtained from databases and bibliography. WorldClim V2.0 bioclimatic layers were used. For the modeling of the potential distribution, the kuenm R package was used by executing the Maxent algorithm. The potential distribution models suggested greatest environmental suitability extends from Europe, South Asia, and Central and South Africa, showing the "tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests" as the ecoregion that presents the greatest probability of the presence of L. coffeella. The potential distribution model projected in the invaded area agrees with the known distribution in the region (America), although the results show that it is occupying environmental spaces not present in the area of origin. This species presented a large proportion of the invaded niche that overlaps the native niche and is colonizing new environmental conditions in the invaded area relative to its native distribution (Africa). This information could be used in the planning of coffee crops on the American continent.

A Comprehensive Review of the Coffee Leaf Miner Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)-A Major Pest for the Coffee Crop in Brazil and Others Neotropical Countries.

Simple SummaryCoffee is produced in more than 60 countries by 25 million coffee producers, most of whom are smallholders in emergent countries. More than a beverage intake, coffee has become a ritual for an increasing number of consumers across the globe. This rising market demands modern management to improve grain quality, environment protecting, and produce pesticide-free products. Among several challenges to overcome, the coffee leaf miner (CLM) pest is one of the most severe threats to the coffee crop, especially in neotropical countries, such as Brazil, the world’s largest producer. Responsible for losses ranging from 30–70%, the CLM impairs the grain production and quality, which negatively reflects on the coffee production chain. Drawback aspects caused by chemical control with pesticides, such as the harmful effects to human health and environment and the selection of resistant-insect populations, prompt scientists to improve integrated pest management (IPM) tools. Therefore, the development of new resistant cultivars, biological control, nano-biopesticide products and other approaches are important strategies to a sustainable CLM control design. This review addresses basic knowledge of the insect L. coffeella and proposes novel insights for an IPM view.The coffee leaf miner (CLM) Leucoptera coffeella moth is a major threat to coffee production. Insect damage is related to the feeding behavior of the larvae on the leaf. During the immature life stages, the insect feeds in the mesophyll triggering necrosis and causing loss of photosynthetic capacity, defoliation and significant yield loss to coffee crops. Chemical control is used to support the coffee production chain, though market requirements move toward conscious consumption claiming for more sustainable methods. In this overview, we discuss aspects about the CLM concerning biology, history, geographical distribution, economic impacts, and the most relevant control strategies in progress. Insights to develop an integrated approach for a safer and eco-friendly control of the CLM are discussed here, including bio-extracts, nanotechnology, pheromones, and tolerant cultivars.

Cover crop intercropping increases biological control in coffee crops

Losses in coffee crops due to the pest attack harm up to 50% of production. In an attempt to control the progress of these herbivores, chemical inputs are used on crops, but with limited success and negative impact on biodiversity and on human health. We investigated in a field experiment whether cover crop intercropping with coffee would reduce coffee pest population by increasing natural enemy abundance. The cover crops Crotalaria juncea and Fagopyrum esculentum were selected based on agronomic traits and on the provision of food resources to natural enemies. They were tested in plots in a single cultivation and in mix combination intercropped with coffee. The control treatment was represented by coffee monoculture with bare soil. Predation rate of a key coffee pest, the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella, was higher in intercropped plots than in the monoculture. Increased parasitism rate of L. coffeella was found in plots intercropped with F. esculentum. However, during the experimental period, L. coffeella abundance was not affected by the cover crops. Phytophagous mites from Tetranychidae family were less abundant when coffee was intercropped with C. juncea. Their predators, Phytoseiidae mites, were more abundant on coffee intercropped with C. juncea and C. juncea plus F. esculentum. Diversification of coffee crops by intercropping with cover crops promotes biological control of phytophagous mites and shows potential for coffee leaf miner control. These results, together with the improvement of chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the soil and reduced weed competition, make cover crop intercropping a suitable strategy for coffee cultivation.

The coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae): identification of the larval instars and description of male and female genitalia

ABSTRACT The coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guerin-Meneville & Perrottet) is a key pest in coffee producing countries. During their development, the larvae feed on the palisade parenchyma of the leaves, forming mines and necrotic areas. As a result, the photosynthetic area of the plant decreases, affecting coffee production. Despite the severity of the damage caused by coffee leaf miner (CLM), morphological aspects of the larval development and the adult genitalia remain unknown. This work presents the first morphological description of the four larval instars and the adult genitalia of L. coffeella. In each larval instar, we measured the Mean ± SD (mm) of the cephalic capsules (1st 0,14±0,03; 2nd 0,25±0,04; 3rd 0,32±0,03; 4th 0,42±0,03) and observed the following morphological details: primary setae, prolegs, crochets and ecdysial line of the cephalic capsule. In the adults, we show how to differentiate adult sexing and observed the sexual structures present in both genitalia: male - bulbus ejaculatorius, valva, gnathos and aedeagus, and female - ovipositor, sclerite and corpus bursae.

Effectiveness of coffee leaf miner control associated with spray deposition in coffee leaves

ABSTRACT Coffee production faces challenges due to the susceptibility of the crop to insects. Owing to the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella, which is one of the main insect pests, the technology for the application of phytosanitary measures becomes the main challenge for coffee growers. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of coffee leaf miner control using different methods of application. The study was conducted in an experimental site in the municipality of Monte Carmelo - Minas Gerais. Spray depositions in different positions of the plant canopy and the effective control of coffee leaf miner were evaluated using the following application treatments: a hydropneumatic sprayer with varying spray volumes (200 and 400 L ha-1), two hollow-cone spray nozzles with the presence and absence of agricultural adjuvant, and electrostatic application using a spray volume of 200 L ha-1 with and without spray adjuvant. The addition of an adjuvant to the spray did not influence coffee leaf miner control; in contrast, a spray volume of 200 L ha-1 combined with the application of coarse droplets was efficient in the management of insect pest. The reduction in the rate of the application using coarse droplets increased the operational capacity and reduced spray drift potential.

Fertility Life Table of <i>Leucoptera coffeella</i> (Guérin-Mèneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) at Seven Temperatures in Coffee

Coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guerin-Meneville, 1842) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) it is a one biggest insect pest of coffee in American continent coffee plantations, due to its generalized occurrence, since all coffee varieties are susceptible to attack, and the economic damage caused, which can involve production losses up to 50%. The present study investigated biological aspects, including the fertility life table and the ideal conditions for reproduction and development of this pest, at 7 constant temperatures (18, 22, 25, 28, 30, 32, 35°C) under laboratory conditions. The results showed that the mean biological development time of L. coffeella was affected by temperature, completing its life cycle more rapidly in increased temperatures until the 32°C, but low survivor of all L. coffeella stages was observed from 30°C. The preoviposition period decreased with increasing temperatures, the total fecundity was significantly affected by the temperature and the longevities of males and females were affected by the temperature. The highest net reproductive rate (22.23), finite rate of increase (0.15) and viability were observed at 28°C, indicating that this temperature was the most suitable for development. The information obtained can be used in integrated pest management programs, to forecast L. coffeella outbreaks and population growth, and to study the behavior of this insect under different climate conditions

Beyond selectivity: Are behavioral avoidance and hormesis likely causes of pyrethroid-induced outbreaks of the southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis?

Secondary pest outbreak is a counterintuitive ecological backlash of pesticide use in agriculture that takes place with the increase in abundance of a non-targeted pest species after pesticide application against a targeted pest species. Although the phenomenon was well recognized, its alternative causes are seldom considered. Outbreaks of the southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis are frequently reported in Brazilian coffee farms after the application of pyrethroid insecticides against the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella. Selectivity favoring the red mite against its main predatory mites is generally assumed as the outbreak cause, but this theory has never been tested. Here, we assessed the toxicity (and thus the selectivity) of deltamethrin against both mite species: the southern red mite and its phytoseid predator Amblyseius herbicolus. Additionally, behavioral avoidance and deltamethrin-induced hormesis were also tested as potential causes of red mite outbreak using free-choice behavioral walking bioassays with the predatory mite and life-table experiments with both mite species, respectively. Lethal toxicity bioassays indicated that the predatory mite was slightly more susceptible than its prey (1.5×), but in more robust demographic bioassays, the predator was three times more tolerant to deltamethrin than its prey, indicating that predator susceptibility to deltamethrin is not a cause of the reported outbreaks. The predator did not exhibit behavioral avoidance to deltamethrin; however insecticide-induced hormesis in the red mite led to its high population increase under low doses, which was not observed for the predatory mite. Therefore, deltamethrin-induced hormesis is a likely cause of the reported red mite outbreaks.

Toxicity of organic farming‑compatible products to the coffee leaf miner

The objective of this work was to evaluate the toxicity of organic farming‑compatible products to the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella. Lime sulphur, enriched Bordeaux mixture (Viça Café Plus), and the "supermagro" biofertilizer were first tested in laboratory. The most promising product was tested afterwards under field conditions. In laboratory, different concentrations of each product were applied on L. coffeella eggs and on infested coffee‑mined leaves. Only lime sulphur had ovicidal effects at an acceptable concentration (1.6%) for field applications, but no significant effect on larvae mortality was found. Enriched Bordeaux mixture and the "supermagro" biofertilizer had no effect on L. coffeella eggs and larvae. In the field trial, biweekly or monthly sprayings of lime sulphur at different concentrations caused population decrease after 30 days; however, this effect was not significant after 60 or 90 days.

Selection of active plant extracts against the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)

Aiming to contribute to the development of alternative control methods of the coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville & Perrottet, 1842) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae), a search for plants able to produce active substances against this insect was carried out, with species collected during different periods of time in the Alto Rio Grande region, (Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil). Coffee leaves containing L. coffeella mines were joined with 106 extracts from 77 plant species and, after 48 hours, the dead and alive caterpillars were counted. The extracts from Achillea millefolium, Citrus limon, Glechoma hederacea, Malva sylvestris, Mangifera indica, Mentha spicata, Mirabilis jalapa, Musa sapientum, Ocimum basiculum, Petiveria alliaceae, Porophyllum ruderale, Psidium guajava, Rosmarinus officinalis, Roupala montana, Sambucus nigra and Tropaeolum majus showed the highest mortality rates.

Plant Extracts as an Alternative to Control Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)

We evaluated the effects of crude extracts from the plantain Plantago lanceolata and the bitter gourd Momordica charantia on the oviposition preference and development of the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella Guérin-Mèneville & Perrottet under laboratory and/or greenhouse conditions. The ovicidal effects of these extracts were also studied in a greenhouse. Plantago lanceolata and M. charantia extracts also underwent fractionation directed by oviposition tests with the coffee leaf miner. The extracts of both plants reduced L. coffeella oviposition and egg hatching, apparently as a result of action of plant metabolites on the embryo. Adults originating from eggs treated with the extracts exhibited similar survival rates, but a higher female/male ratio. Fecundity was reduced for females obtained from eggs treated with the M. charantia extract. Partial chemical analysis indicated that both extracts produced polar fractions that reduced the oviposition of L. coffeella on coffee leaves under laboratory conditions. The extracts of P. lanceolata and M. charantia have potential for use in the development of new products to control the coffee leaf miner.

A diversificação da vegetação reduz o ataque do bicho-mineiro-do-cafeeiro Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-mèneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)?

The effects of increasing plant diversity on the population of the coffee leaf-miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) were investigated in two organic coffee production systems. One system consisted of coffee intercropped with banana trees (shaded system) and the other one of coffee intercropped with pigeon pea (unshaded system). The increase in plant diversity on both systems was achieved via introduction of green manures such a perennial pea nut, sunn hemp and Brazilian lucerne. The population of L. coffeella, predation and parasitism of L. coffeella mines were biweekly evaluated during eight months. The increase in plant diversity on both systems did not affect the attack of L. coffeella on coffee leaves and the mine parasitism rate. However, there was a positive and significant relationship between increasing plant diversity and coffee leaf mine predation by wasps on unshaded coffee system and a negative relationship on shaded coffee system.

SUPLEMENTOS ALIMENTARES E ISCA TÓXICA NO MANEJO DO BICHO-MINEIRO E DE SEUS INIMIGOS NATURAIS

This work assessed the effect of food supplements on the population of the coffee leaf-miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guerin-Meneville & Perrottet) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) and its natural enemies. The experiment was set up at the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) in a five-year-old dense, conventional cv. Rubi crop planted in a 2.0 x 0.6 m spacing. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with six treatments and four replications. The treatments were: beer yeast and honey (1:1) at 20%, molasses at 10%, hydrolyzed protein at 2%, hydrolyzed protein at 2% with cartap (20 g a.i./ha) (toxic bait), cartap (20 g a.i./ha) and control (water). The features assessed were: percentage of mined leaves, percentage of mined leaves preyed on by wasps, number of live coffee leaf-miner caterpillars, number of pupae formed per sixty leaves and the percentage of parasitism. The most important parasitoids were Orgilus niger , Centistidea striata , Stiropius reticulatus and Horismenus sp. After application of the toxic bait and cartap insecticide treatments, a reduction in both the total parasite population and per parasitoid species was observed. The results suggest further studies for recommending food supplements as a pest management tactic in coffee crops. Toxic bait used to manage the coffee leaf-miner affected negatively the population of its natural enemies.

Impacts of weather, shade cover and elevation on coffee leafminer Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) population dynamics and natural enemies

We assessed the influences of ambient temperature, rainfall, shade cover and elevation on seasonal abundance of coffee leafminer Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Ménèville) and its natural enemies in coffee farms in the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico. Mined coffee leaves were most abundant during the rainy season (i.e. historical average rainfall >200 mm/mo, April–November) compared to the dry season (<100 mm/mo, December–March), and at low (<600 m asl) relative to high (>900 m asl) elevations. The abundance of mined leaves increased with rainfall, and decreased with maximum daily temperatures. Coffee leafminer survivorship was highest during the dry season (>40%), when predation was lowest (<10%). Predation was the main source of coffee leafminer mortality, and was greatest during the rainy season (>25%) when coffee leafminer incidence was highest (>30% mined leaves per plant). None of the weather variables that were evaluated (viz. maximum and minimum temperatures, and rainfall) significantly impacted parasitism ratios. Shade cover moderated on-farm temperatures, by reducing maximum daily temperatures and any potential, direct impacts of rainfall on coffee leafminer, by providing partial shelter from rainfall, but did not significantly affect coffee leafminer incidence. In 48 h laboratory trials, coffee leafminer oviposition was highest at 28 °C (∼15 eggs/female), minimal at 25 °C (∼3 eggs) and nil at 20 °C, and higher during night-time hours (>8 eggs/female/day) compared to day-time hours (<1 egg). Historical average temperatures were higher at low elevation (yearly average ca. 25 °C; range = 18.0–32.0 °C) than at high elevation (ca. 21 °C; 13.5–28.5 °C), and we predicted that physical environmental conditions (i.e. night-time hours with temperatures > 20 °C) were permissive of coffee leafminer oviposition during twice as many hours each year at low elevation (4060 h) compared to high elevation (2081 h). Overall, our results suggested that evident differences in the abundance of coffee leafminer between elevations may be due in considerable part to differences in ambient temperatures, particularly night-time temperatures, rather than rainfall, shade cover, or elevation per se.

Efeitos de variáveis ambientais, irrigação e vespas predadoras sobre Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Méneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) no cafeeiro

The population density of the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Méneville) can be affected by environmental variables in irrigated agroecosystems and the occurrence of predatory wasps such as Vespidae. In here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental variables, drip irrigation depths and predation by wasps on the population density of L. coffeella. The experiment was carried out during 2004 and 2005 in a Coffea arabica plantation cultivated in the county of Jaboticatubas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The different irrigation depths set through drip were established considering the daily depth required by the IRRIPLUS program, which was equal to 100%, and two other lower (51% and 72%) and higher (124% and 145%) values, having the control without irrigation. In order to evaluate the coffee leaf miner population density and predation, the number of active and preyed mines was determined on the fourth pair of leaves in a group of ten plants. For the study of interactions among the environmental variables, irrigation depths with the mine density of L. coffeella and predatory wasps, the following methods were used: multivariated analysis, simple linear regression and trail. We concluded that higher pluvial precipitation, solar radiation and irrigation depths would reduce population density of the coffee leaf miner. Furthermore, the increase in density of the predatory wasps was dependent on the population level of L. coffeella.

Sampling plan for the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella with sex pheromone traps

AbstractThe population density of the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin‐Méneville &amp; Perrottet) (Lep., Lyonetiidae) can be estimated using pheromone traps in coffee fields as male capture reflects this pest damage based on previous correlational study. However, the spatial distribution of pheromone traps and their density are necessary to optimize the sampling procedure with pheromone traps. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to determine the pheromone trap density required per hectare to sample coffee leaf miner populations and to determine the spatial distribution of the males of this pest species. The males were sampled every 8 days in 12 consecutive evaluations. Taylor’s power law and frequency distributions were used to recognize the distribution of the male capture data, which followed a negative binomial distribution. A common K was obtained, allowing the establishment of a single conventional sampling plan for the 12 fields investigated. The adjusted sampling plan requires eight traps in an area of 30 ha for a 25% precision error. Kriging‐generated maps allowed the simulation of male captures for 8, 12 and 20 traps per 30 ha and the results were compared with those obtained with absolute sampling resulting in R2‐values of 0.30, 0.57 and 0.60 respectively. The traps were able to identify the more highly infested areas within the field and are a precise and efficient tool for sampling populations of L. coffeella.

Coffee leaf volatiles and egg laying by the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella

Recent reports of coffee genotypes resistant to one of its key pests in the Neotropical region, the leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae), sparked studies trying to recognize the underlying causes of resistance. An association between increased egg laying by the leaf miner and increased caffeine levels in coffee leaves was recently recognized. However, since caffeine is not volatile, its effect on egg laying is likely aided by a volatile compound. This was the hypothesis tested here. Coffee leaf volatiles from 12 coffee genotypes were collected, analyzed (gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer (CG/MS)) and tested for electrophysiological activity (EAG). The active volatiles thus recognized were subjected to partial correlation against the density of eggs laid by the leaf miner in each coffee genotype. The volatile showing significant positive correlation, p-cymene, was subjected to an attraction test in a four-arm olfactometer confirming its biological activity and providing evidence of its role stimulating egg laying by the coffee leaf miner.

Age and time related pheromone production in coffee leafminer Leucoptera coffeella Guérin-Méneville (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)

This study was undertaken to access the pattern of sex pheromone production in glands of virgin females of Leucoptera coffeella as an indirect measure of the calling behavior. The major compound, 5,9-dimethylpentadecane (1) was extracted from pheromone glands of virgin females to be used in two experiments. The first one investigated the effect of the pheromone production time by females (extracts of 10 females with age of two days were carried out at 2-hour intervals). The other experiment evaluated the effect of female age on pheromone production (10 females with age ranged from 1 to 5 days after emergence class were used). Hexane extracts were made with 5 ng µL-1 of 5,9-dimethylheptadecane (2) as internal standard and analyzed by GC. Females had the highest amount of pheromone at the last four hours in the dark and the two first hours in the light period. One-day old females produced the highest amount of pheromone in the glands.

Efficiency of thiamethoxam for coffee leaf-miner control. I - Influence of the mode of application

The coffee leaf-miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guerin-Meneville, 1842) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) is the most important insect pest of coffee ( Coffea arabica L.) in Brazil, where reductions in the production can reach 70 %. Its control using granular formulations of systemic insecticides, which are soil-applied in the rainy season, has shown to be erratic over the last years, attributed to the irregular distribution of rainfall. As water-dispersible granules (WG) formulations of insecticides can be applied in different forms and are less dependent on the soil moisture, this work was carried out to assess the influence of the mode of application of thiamethoxam WG for the control of coffee leaf-miner in the cerrado region of Minas Gerais State. The experiment consisted of eight treatments and four replicates, in a randomized blocks statistical design. The treatments were: thiamethoxam 250 WG (applied as drench at the plant base, drench in soil furrows and drip irrigation), imidacloprid 700 WG (drench at the plant base and as drip irrigation), thiamethoxam 10 GR and aldicarb 150 GR (in soil furrows), and control. Application was performed in February, with monthly evaluations on pest control until July. Drench treatments at plant base as well as drip irrigation with thiamethoxam 250 WG provided high control efficiency for about 130 days. The thiamethoxam concentrations in the leaves from these treatments were higher than in leaves from other treatments with other modes of application of the insecticide.