Hypothenemus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Curculionoidea
Family: Curculionidae
Subfamily: Scolytinae
Tribe: Tryopophloeini
Genus: Hypothenemus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hypothenemus: /hɪpoʊˈθɛnəməs/

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Summary

Hypothenemus is a genus of small beetles including the coffee berry borer (H. hampei), which is a major pest affecting coffee crops worldwide, native to Africa but now widespread due to human activity.

Physical Characteristics

Small black beetles with strong mandibles; females 1.4–1.8 mm long, males 1.2–1.6 mm long; body size varies from 0.6–2.2 mm across the genus.

Identification Tips

Hypothenemus hampei may be confused with false coffee berry borers but does not enter the coffee bean endosperm.

Habitat

Infests coffee plants and other hosts; may be found in plant twigs, vines, pith, seeds, and deeper woods.

Distribution

Endemic to central Africa, now found in most coffee-producing countries globally; first reported in Brazil (1926), later spread to Guatemala, Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii.

Diet

Infests and feeds on coffee berries and other plant materials, creating galleries in the endosperm.

Life Cycle

From egg to adult takes 24 to 45 days; females mature in two larval stages, while males have one larval stage lasting 10 to 26 days.

Reproduction

Females lay 35–50 eggs in coffee berries; can produce multiple generations (3 to 5) per host plant.

Predators

Natural enemies include parasitic wasps, various bird species such as yellow and rufous-capped warblers, and various insect predators

Ecosystem Role

Significant pest of coffee, affecting yield and quality, thus influencing the economy of coffee-dependent families.

Economic Impact

Affects over 20 million families relying on coffee, causing significant economic losses due to reduced coffee quality and yield.

Collecting Methods

Traps and monitoring in coffee plantations
Visual inspection of infested fruits

Preservation Methods

Freezing to kill pests
Development of biological control agents

Similar Taxa

H. obscurus
H. seriatus
Xylosandrus species

Misconceptions

Commonly mistaken for other beetles that do not damage coffee beans.