Coffee pests

Pest- is any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal or pathogenic agent that is injurious to plant or plant products.

Pests and diseases can ruin your coffee crop. An infestation or outbreak that is badly handled can mean financial hardship or even devastation. But do you know which pests are the greatest threats? And how do you identify them?

Let’s take a look at coffee pests to better understand what they are and how to handle them.

What attracts pests.

Like any crop, coffee is vulnerable to pests but some factors make coffee crop more vulnerable to infestation or outbreak. The following factors influence the incidence of pest attacks.

Environmental conditions

Coffee is produced in many countries and there are pests in every area. But the specific pests vary dependent on environmental conditions. For example coffee borer beetle thrives in humid conditions.

So when Arabica is grown at lower altitudes, the relative warmth and humidity puts it at increased risk of coffee berry borer. But even if the season is inhospitably dry, the insects can hide in the cherries until the first rains, when they emerge en masse and create devastation.

Crop management

Good agricultural understanding can make all difference in the control of pests. Farmers rely on productive and resilient plants to remain competitive. If crops are managed poorly, it could have a serious impact on yield and profit.

Economics

Producers who do not make enough money to invest in their farms are more likely to suffer from pests. If a farmer can’t afford pesticides, they may be more affected by pests and produce a low yield. This in turn means they may not have the resources to invest in next year’s crop and the cycle continues.

Common coffee pests

Insects generally weaken coffee beans and reduce density. The bites from insects also open coffee plants up to secondary infection from fungi and other microorganisms. It also have a considerable effect on coffee profile with reduction in quality of flavor and aroma.

1. Coffee berry borer-these tiny beetles are present in almost all coffee-producing areas, where they burrow inside coffee cherries. Affected berries may fall prematurely. If the damage is significant it can cause the cup to taste bitter, tarry or fermented.
2. Coffee leave miner– it affect leaves, if severe the leave may suffer necrosis of up to 90% of it structure. Defoliation affects the plants ability to photosynthesize. If immature or dead beans make it into final brew, they can create bitterness and astringency.
3. Mealybugs – it attack various part. They feed on sap and secrete a sticky substance that attacks ants. This substance also lead to the formation of black mold that covers leaves and can reduce photosynthesis. In cup can result in astringency, a metallic taste or bitterness in the cup.
4. Nematodes– are microscopic worm-like parasites. Can form knots in the roots that prevent the plant from properly absorbing water and nutrients. Infestation can cause reduced roots, defoliation and general lack of health in the plants.
5. Other pests include : Thrips, Green scales, Coffee stem borers, Leaf skelotinizer, fried egg scales, Atensia bugs.

Best management for insect pest in coffee.

Greenlife Crop Protection Africa Limited offers Kenyan farmers the best solution for coffee insect pest control by providing products which are broad spectrum to control a wide range of pest.

1. Ranger (chloropyrifos 480 ) at a rate of 30-40mls in 20ltrs of water, best for mealybugs,Gren scales and borers, Atensia bugs, Leaf miners and leaf skeletonizers.

RANGER® 480EC is a non-systemic contact and stomach insecticide for foliar and stem application that is active against a range of insects widely used in agriculture for controlling insect pests including aphids, thrips, and whiteflies on roses, thrips and Antestia bugs on coffee. It is also used as termicide for termites in construction buildings and fruit trees.

2. Presento (Acetamiprid) at a rate of 4-10g/20ltrs of water, best for sucking – Thrips,Green scales.

PRESENTO® 200SP is a highly systemic insecticide for foliar and stem application and is active particularly against a range of insects with broad spectrum long residual activity widely used in agriculture for controlling insect pests including aphids, thrips, whiteflies and leaf miner in a broad range of ornamentals and edible crops.

3. King code Elite – Is both systemic and contact and is good for all range of pest at a rate of 10mls/20ltrs of water.

KINGCODE ELITE® 50 EC is a highly systemic and contact insecticide for foliar and stem application and is active particularly against sucking insects and chewing insects with broad spectrum long residual activity widely used in agriculture for controlling insect pests including aphids, thrips, whiteflies, diamond back moth, leaf miner, African bollworm, pod borer, stem borers and leaf beetle in a broad range of edible and ornamental crops.

NB: For effective control of coffee insect pest farmers should ensure the insecticide is incorporate with Integra at a rate of 3mls/20ltrs of water and a repeat spray is done within 10-14 days.

Thank you and let’s farm the Greenlife way!