Abstract:

The possibility was investigated that Heterospilus coffeicola, a
Coffee Berry Borer parasitoid with biological control potential, might
be a vector of disease inoculum into areas earmarked for its
introduction.
H. coffeicola cannot as yet be reared in the laboratory and so a
readily cultured species Heterospilus prosopidis was used test
parasitoid. Sporulating cultures of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
and also C. coffeanum (the causal pathogen of Coffee Berry Disease)
were used to infest the parasitoids experimentally.
Adult parasitoids could collect fungal spores of both pathogens.
Small progeny of H. prosopidis also picked up spores when -exposed to
sporulating cultures of C. coffeanum.
Spore viability on the parasitoids declined significantly, but
not to zero, 10 days after infestation.
bencmyl inhibited the fungus but all liquid sprays tested including
water alone, affected the longevity of the parasitoids.
In conclusion, as the parasitoid tested could carry viable fungal
spores for appreciable periods of time, there is a danger that H.
coffeicola indigenous in areas infested with Coffee Berry Disease
phytosanitary risk if transferred directly to recipient
countries. In view of the serious nature of the disease in question,
shipment of parasitoids without
way of disinfestation is not recommended. Further work is suggested.