Potential of steinernema carpocapsae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) against hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Hawai'i

Abstract

Evidence is provided here that Steinernema carpocapsae, an entomopathogenic nematode, has the ability to both enter fresh coffee berries, and kill different life stages of the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) both in the laboratory and field. In Hawai'i, CBB was reported in 2010, and currently importation of all commercial nematode species are banned with the exception of S. carpocapsae. These data indicate entomopathogenic nematodes deserve more research as a potential biopesticide against CBB in Hawai'i.