Biocontrol efficacy of Beauveria bassiana in combination with tobacco short stem and modified lure traps

The coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) has been a threat to coffee ( Coffea arabica ; Coffea robusta ) (Rubiales: Rubiaceae) production for hundreds of years, causing farmers all over the world lose of money. Consequently, the continuous use of synthetic chemicals to control this insect has caused great harm to the environment, human beings, and the ecosystem. In this regard, the study aimed to elucidate the possibility of using integrated pest management that employs Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), CMU-C1 lure modified traps, and botanically derived insecticides from tobacco short stems to control coffee berry borer. Interestingly, the results showed that, when B. bassiana was applied to infested coffee cherries, it caused 100% insect mortality within 3 months when performed by an increasing number of insects. However, those in untreated control recorded no dead insects. Luckily, when B. bassiana was combined with up to 25% of Nicotiana tabacum short stem suspension, it caused no effect on the spore germination of B. bassiana . Conversely, the number of insects in the treatment with tobacco short stem applied to infested berries was not different from the untreated control. Observably, three years of field trials resulted in a decreased insect population in the coffee field that was applied with B. bassiana, and tobacco short stem suspension combined with CMU-C1 lures trap. B. bassiana and CMU-C1 lures combined trap is a very useful tool for controlling Hypothenemus hampei with several advantages such as eco-friendliness, low cost, target specificity, and next generation insecticide for insect pest control.