Araecerus fasciculatus

Definition

A small beetle species (Coleoptera: Anthribidae), commonly called the coffee bean weevil, that is among the most polyphagous pests of stored products worldwide. Adults and larvae feed on dried plant material including coffee, cocoa, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, nutmeg, dried fruits, and nuts. The species has become cosmopolitan through international trade and causes significant quantitative and qualitative losses in stored food commodities. Despite its common name, it is not a true weevil (Curculionidae) but belongs to the fungus weevil family Anthribidae, which lack the elongated rostrum characteristic of curculionids.

Etymology

Latin: araecerus possibly from Greek araios (thin, weak) + keras (horn); fasciculatus meaning bundled or clustered, perhaps referring to antennal or leg morphology.

Example

Infestations of Araecerus fasciculatus in stored coffee are often detected by the presence of circular exit holes in beans and accumulations of frass, with larvae developing inside individual seeds.

Synonyms

• coffee bean weevil
• coffee bean beetle

Related Terms

• Anthribidae
• Curculionidae
• stored-product entomology
• polyphagy
• post-harvest pest
• phytosanitary pest
• Coleoptera

Usage Notes

The common name 'coffee bean weevil' is misleading: Anthribidae are morphologically distinct from true weevils (Curculionidae) and lack a pronounced rostrum. In pest management literature, the species is often abbreviated A. fasciculatus. It is frequently confused with Araecerus coffeicola, a related species with more restricted host range. The species is regulated under phytosanitary standards in many coffee- and cocoa-producing countries. When encountered in field collections, adults may be mistaken for small cerambycids or other anthribids due to their compact, somewhat cylindrical body form.