The potential of bee vectoring on coffee in Brazil

Abstract

Losses caused by the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) have been decreasing coffee production. This pest causes annual losses over U.S. $500 million. The chemical insecticides have been used to Coffee berry borer control. Due to their effects of pesticides on human and environmental health, some countries decided to ban the use of endosulfan. Another hand, biological insecticide based on entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin became one of the key measures in coffee integrate pest management. Release by spray application requires high concentrations of B. bassiana, and this enhances the cost of CBB control. Thus, developing new environmentally friendly cultivation and cost-efficient methods to manage the coffee berry borer has become essential. In response to this, a novel method for the application of microbial control agents against agricultural pests using bee pollinators has been developed. In this chapter, we discuss the potential use of managed bees as vectors of B. bassiana to coffee berry borer control and challenges.