Coffee Berry Borer found in Kipahulu area on Maui


The coffee berry borer was detected in December 2016 on a coffee farm in Kīpahulu on Maui.
A neighbor of the 13-acre farm reported the possible CBB infestation to an extension agent at the University of Hawaiʻi, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources on Maui.
Entomologists at the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture confirmed that it was CBB, a serious pest of coffee that was first detected in the state in Kona in 2010.
UH-CTAHR reports that the entire farm has been found to be infested with CBB, which indicates the infestation has been there for some time.
Earlier in November 2016, a resident in Hāna contacted HDOA about CBB in two backyard coffee trees. Those backyard trees were stripped of all coffee berries and fallen cherries have been collected and frozen to kill CBB. HDOA continues to monitor CBB traps at that site. Although the Kīpahulu farm and the Hāna residence are about 12 miles apart; it is not known if the two infestations are related.
HDOA surveys have been conducted in West Maui, ʻĪao Valley and Waikapū, and CBB has not been been detected in those areas.
HDOA’s Plant Quarantine Branch is also working on expanding quarantine protocol for movement of coffee plants and plant parts from Maui to uninfested areas.
“Despite strict quarantine rules that have been established on the interisland movement of coffee plants and plant parts from Hawaiʻi Island, CBB infestations have been extremely difficult to contain,” said Scott Enright, chairperson of the Hawaiʻi Board of Agriculture. “We ask that coffee growers continue to be vigilant and learn about CBB and how infestations can be detected and managed.”
2 Maui Workshops Planned on Jan. 9 in Kula:
UH-CTAHR, HDOA and the US Department of Agriculture will be holding two Maui workshops on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017 at the Kula Community Center, East Lower Kula Rd. to provide information to coffee farmers and other interested parties:
  • 10 a.m. to noon: CBB 101 (General information on CBB)
  • 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: CBB Update (Information on CBB research and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies)

Controlling CBB


Root-Knot Nematode

All Maui Coffee Association members need to be aware of the serious problem the Kona coffee root-knot nematode poses to Maui coffee. Currently this devastating blight has not been detected on our island.

Do NOT import volunteer seedlings, commonly called pulapula from The Big Island.

Big Island coffee seedlings can be purchased from certified nurseries that grow them on elevated benches using sterile media.

Do NOT import any coffee planting stock that has not been inspected by The Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Before shipping contact the HDOA Hilo office at 808-974-4141 or the Kona office at 808-326-1077 for inspection.

If you have already imported coffee seedlings from The Big Island and suspect they may contain the Kona root-knot nematode notify the CTAHR Cooperative Extension office on Maui at 808-244-3242. They can assist you with field-testing.

Make sure boots and other footwear are free of dirt after visiting farms on The Big Island.

Nematodes do not travel themselves...they move when someone digs up or somehow spreads infested soil or plants and inadvertently relocates the pest nematode. They then spread to healthy plants and can ruin an orchard. The infested trees may not appear affected right away. The "Kona Wilt" that is a symptom shows up after the damage has already been done.


For more information...

"Coffee Decline Caused by the Kona Coffee Root-Knot Nematode"

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/PD-16.pdf


"Growing Coffee in Hawaii"

http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/EU-1_04.pdf

"Managing Coffee Nematode Decline:

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/PD-23.pdf

Insurance

Liability insurance for farms interested in conducting tours on their property may be obtained at a special Maui Coffee Association discounted rate from Majestic Insurance. Contact:
Peaches Kong, Agency Manager - 808-573-5948.