Progression in field infestation is linked with trapping of coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Col., Scolytidae)

Phenology of the coffee plant and infestation by coffee berry borer Hypothe nemus hampei Ferrari were studied in relation to trapping of adult females in kairomone-baited traps in a coffee plantation in New Caledonia. In a 0.4 ha coffee field, a group of 27 trees located along a transect beginning at an early infestation point was selected. The number of green, red and dry coffee berries, along with the number of larvae, adult males and females pe r berry was determined monthly from October 1993 to July 1994. Twelve, red multifunnel traps, each baited with a solution of methanol:ethanol (1:1 rat io, a mean solution release rate of 1 g/day) were placed within the coffee field, along the transect, within the selected trees, grouped in four zones named 1-4. Two additional traps were located outside the plantation. The proportion of infested berries increased as berry maturity and harvest date approached: while the infestation rate decreased with distance from th e epicentre. Over the 10 months of the study, beetle populations increased and spread from the original infestation point across the different zones, according to distance and availability of berries or appropriate physiologi cal status. Traps near the epicentre caught the largest numbers of beetles. Linear relationship between trap catch and infestation level was demonstra ted. Traps placed outside the field approached zero catch. Trap catch was h ighly influenced by rainfall events, and the highest captures coincided wit h rapidly declining berry numbers on trees. There are good prospects for ma nagement of this insect using traps.