Advance on the biology, behaviour ecology and management of the coffee white stem borer, Xylotrechus quadripes Chevrolat, 1863 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Abstract

The coffee white stem borer, Xylotrechus quadripes Chevrolat, 1863 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) – here removed from the synonymy with X. javanicus (Laporte & Gory, 1841) – is the most notorious pest in Arabica coffee plantations in many southeast Asian countries. It can cause damage up to 80% in various gardens. The borer is reported on 16 different host plants other than coffee. The severity of the pest was more commonly recorded on the Arabica coffee than on other species. More pest intensity on the coffee may be due to its innate evolutionary relation compared to other host plants. Studies revealed that the borer is more specific and attracted to the volatile of coffee plants but it is still needs a strong supporting data. Some of the behavioural and ecological-adaptations of borers leads to avoid predation and chemical-pesticides reaching them. Hence, no single method gives perfect control of this pest; therefore, harmonic use of different tools such as cultural, mechanical, physical, bio-control and chemical methods are the best way to combat this pest. Though the pest is economically important, the information on chemical and ecological behaviour, host plant resistance and recent advancements in the pest management are scanty. The present article is an endeavour to shed a light on biology, behaviour, host selection and management of X. quadripes with multiple instances, that will give a new avenue for the researchers to work on the least concerned fields to develop strong management practice and alert against future pest outbreak.

Keywords

• Coffee white stem borer
• Biology
• Host selection
• Ecology
• Management