Frequent and efficient harvesting as cultural control strategy to regulate coffee berry borer (CBB) populations in commercial coffee farms from Hawaii

Over two harvesting seasons (2019 and 2020), the efficacy of harvesting practices (frequent harvesting, sanitation pick and strip pick) was assessed in ten commercial coffee farms from Hawaii. The impact of those practices was associated with CBB infestation levels and total defects on processed coffee. In addition, an economic analysis was conducted to estimate benefit cost ratio (BCR) for those practices. Results from this study are summarizes in two relevant conclusions: 1- Frequent and effective harvesting practices reduce CBB populations and allow production of good quality processed coffee with minimal damages. 2- A profitable economic benefit was obtained, when frequent and effective harvesting practices are properly conducted. Results from this study are circumstantial evidence that the integrated pest management for CBB is economically and ecologically feasible under Hawaiian agro-ecological conditions.