Critical stage and key natural mortality factors of Hypothenemus hampei in commercial coffee plantations

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), is one of the most important coffee pests, and is present in almost all countries producing this crop, causing annual losses of US$350 million. Natural factors regulate H. hampei populations in coffee crops. Ecological life table analysis is a robust tool that allows the estimation of the mortality caused by these factors. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the critical stage and the key mortality factors affecting H. hampei in the field. Data for constructing life tables were collected over 2 years in six coffee plantations in the regions of Paula C & acirc;ndido and Vi & ccedil;osa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The average mortality of H. hampei was 75.34% +/- 5.85%. The mortality at each developmental stage was 24.32% +/- 2.83% (eggs), 7.29% +/- 1.01% (first instar), 11.58% +/- 1.46% (second instar), 9.68% +/- 1.10% (third instar), 7.45% +/- 1.01% (pupa), and 15.02% +/- 1.29% (adult; n = 124). The mortality factors observed and quantified in this study were parasitism by Prorops nasuta (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), predation by ants (Crematogaster spp., Pheidole spp. and Solenopsis spp.), physiological disorders and fungal infection by Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. The critical mortality stage of H. hampei was the adult stage. The key factors for mortality of H. hampei adults were predatory ants, followed by B. bassiana and malformations (these insects had deformities in the head, wings, legs, or abdomen). This information is essential to conserve the activities of natural enemies and, thus maintain H. hampei natural mortality factors in coffee plantations, reducing damage to the crops and the need for excessive insecticide interventions.