September 10, 2020: Coffee berry borer beetle (CBB) has been identified on Kauai for the first time in a residential area of Kalaheo. CBB is one of the most devastating pests of the coffee plant and is a serious economic threat to coffee growers. The adult female beetle bores into the coffee cherry and lays her eggs. The larvae hatch inside the cherry, grow and feed on the beans, causing great damage to the quality and yield of the coffee harvest.
This is the first detection on Kauai of CBB (Hypothenemus hampei), which was first found on Big Island in 2010 and is now established also on Oahu and Maui. Reproduction rate of this pest is very fast and they are easily transported on coffee plants, unroasted coffee beans, and harvesting equipment including coffee bags. It is illegal to transport these items between islands without inspection and permit.
If you live near coffee trees on Kauai, please be alert for this tiny beetle and report immediately if seen, to KISC or 643-PEST.
Full details from the HDOA news release are available at http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/nr20-13cbb-kauai
More information about CBB is available
- from CTAHR https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/CBBManage.aspx
- from UH https://www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/
- from HDOA https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/ppc/cbbinfo/
