Growing Coffee in the Shade : A Strategy to Minimize the Prevalence of Coffee White Stem Borer, Xylotrechus quadripes

Summary

Coffee white stem borer, Xylotrechus quadripes Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a major coffee pest in parts of Asia and Africa. In recent years, the pest has also been found in American countries. This study in Gulmi District, Nepal, aimed to determine the infestation by coffee white stem borer in relation to coffee plantations in shade or sun. Eighty plantations of coffee were inspected and 68 coffee growers were interviewed. Of 68, 52 (76%) respondents reported high to very high infestation by pests in sun coffee, while 50 (74%) claimed low to very low infestation in shade coffee. There was a significant (χ² = 5.8, p < 0.05) association between coffee plantations (shade and sun) and infestation by coffee white stem borer. Pest prevalence was significantly (χ² = 75, p < 0.05) greater for sun (60%) compared to shade (40%) coffee plants. The total number of infested plants showed significant negative correlation (r =-0.54, n = 68, p < 0.05) with the number of permanent shading trees in plantations. Results suggested that developing a stand of permanent shading trees could be a potential strategy for management of coffee white stem borer.