ARS | Publication request: Metaparasitylenchus Hypothenemi Sp. N. (Allantonematidae: Nematoda), a Parasite of the Coffee Berry Borer, Hypothenemus Hampei (Ferrari) (Curculionidae: Scolytinae).

Submitted to: Journal Of Parasitology
Publication Acceptance Date: July 4, 2004
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The coffee berry borer is the most devastating pest of coffee throughout the world. Eggs are deposited inside coffee berries, and insects feed on the coffee seed, severely reducing yields. A search for natural enemies of the coffee berry borer conducted in Southwest Mexico resulted in the discovery of Metaparasitylenchus hypothenemi, a new nematode species. Since the coffee berry borer is extremely difficult to control, any report of a new natural enemy is significant. This information will be valuable to scientists developing pest management programs aimed at the coffee berry borer.

Technical Abstract: Metaparasitylenchus hypothenemi sp. n. (Allantonematidae: Nematoda) is described from the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Chiapas, Mexico. This species differs from other members of the genus by its small size, annulated cuticle, free-living stages with an excretory pore located between the pharyngeal gland orifices, a distinct stylet with basal swellings in free-living females, a postvulval uterine extension, a thin stylet lacking basal swellings in males, two separate spicules, a gubernaculum, and a peloderan bursa. Parasitic females are white with a straight or slightly curved body and ovoviviparous. Third stage juveniles emerge from parasitized beetles and molt twice before reaching the adult stage. Since the coffee berry borer is the most important pest of coffee throughout the world and this parasite partially or completely sterilizes female beetles, it is worthy of further investigation as a potential biological control agent.