#104Black Coffee Twig Borer traps
104⸱AConcept
- Protects coffee trees from pests
- Increases the coffee yield
This bottle trap is highly effective in fighting the Black Coffee Twig Borer (BCTB). It is composed of a transparent plastic bottle with soapy water, a smaller pharmaceutical bottle with ethanol, and a wire or string. The ethanol attracts the insects, which get trapped by the water inside the bottle and drown. The technology was developed by the Ugandan National Coffee Research Organization (NARO). It is also referred to as the NARO-Uganda Beetle Trap Technology/Broca trap.
The Black Coffee Twig Borer (BCTB), Xylosandrus compactus, attacks branches of mainly Robusta trees, causing them to dry. Unmanaged, BCTB can reduce coffee yield by up to 50 %. Damage increases during the dry season, particularly in shaded, closely planted, or poorly pruned coffee trees.
Only female beetles harm the plants, boring into the xylem and creating brood chambers for eggs. The hollow sections made inside the twigs block translocation of water and nutrients to the branches resulting in drying of infested twigs. The twigs which dry due to infestation are often crop-bearing branches. The borer’s larvae and adults feed via a symbiotic relationship with the ambrosia fungus.
104⸱BTo be considered
Fighting the BCTB requires action from the whole community, as the pests are able to fly long distances. It will not be helpful if one farmer uses beetle traps and others do not.
In addition to the traps, there are a number of measures that are recommended to fight the BCTB:
- Improve plant nutrition through measures for soil fertility as highest BCTB infestations are observed with low phosphorus. Helpful measures are the application of Biochar or Compost.
- Regular inspections of the coffee plants to identify infested plant parts.
- Phytosanitary measures such as cutting, chopping, and burning of infested plant parts.
- Pruning and de-suckering to avoid bushiness.
- Avoiding alternate BCTB host trees as companion trees such as Maesopsis eminii or Markhamia platycalyx.
- Planting of shade trees recommended by research institutions, e.g. Albizia coriaria, Ficus spp. (see Companion trees). Shaded coffee systems attract birds that feed on the pests. However, observe the recommended shade density to avoid too much shading, which often creates a conducive atmosphere for the pests to thrive.
Timing: The traps are a permanent measure. They should be installed at the beginning of the rainy season and cleaned and refilled every 2 weeks. When the bottles wear out, they can be replaced.
104⸱CImplementation
Materials
For 1 ha:
104⸱1Procedure
Trap
104⸱2
Trap at tree
It is not necessary to hang a bottle on every coffee tree. Ideally, it is at least 1 trap for 30 coffee trees. However, the more traps there are, the better.
104⸱3
104⸱DEconomic benefits
Lower pesticide costs
This tool reduces the demand for pesticides and therefore saves input costs over time.
Reduction of losses
This tool can prevent losses in coffee yield and quality.
104⸱EGreen benefits
Less pesticides needed
This tool reduces the need for pesticides. This reduces water pollution, protects the ecosystem, improves soil life, and saves resources.