title: Estimation of production losses caused by the coffee berry borer (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) and calculation of an economic damage threshold in Togolese coffee plots.
abstract: The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), which exists in all coffee producing zones, is a major pest. The seriousness of this scolytid was assessed in Togolese plots spread over five agroclimatic zones, by determining the attack rate from a sample of coffee trees. The work was carried out over 2 yr and revealed that weight losses were proportional to the attack rates. The average infestation rates were 5.64% in the first year and 6.36% in the second year, while total production losses amounted to 2.60% and 3.18%, respectively, for the same periods. Generally speaking, attack rates in the plots were low and varied considerably within a given zone. Plantations located on plateau were more severely attacked than those in the plains. A relationship was established between total losses and the cost of insecticide treatment; this relationship was used to calculate an economic damage threshold beyond which control proves to be cost effective.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche Agronomique zone Forestière, BP 90 Kpalimé, Togo.
authors.forename: Komlan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wegbe
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cilas
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Decazy
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alauzet
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dufour
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D040503:Coffea / Q000254:growth & development*; D001517:Coleoptera; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000191:economics*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000191:economics; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000191:economics*; D014037:Togo
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides