Antestia bugs

Bustillo, Alex, 2015, Part II. Pests, Compendium of Coffee Diseases and Pests, United States of America: The American Phytopathological Society, pp. 45-60 : 54

Antestia bugs ( Hemiptera : Pentatomidae )

are serious pests in Africa and are found more frequently on arabica coffee plants. There are several Antestiopsis spp. A. orbitalis bechuana (Kirkaldy) is very important in eastern Africa, while A. orbitalis ghesquierei Carayon and A. intricata (Ghesquière & Carayon) are major pests in western Africa. Antestiopsis spp. can be recognized by the black, white, or orange characteristic patterns or markings on their bodies. The life history and biology of these species are very similar. Eggs are laid in groups of 12 on the lower side of leaves. They are white, about 1.2 mm long, and barrel shaped. Nymphs emerge in 10-14 days. The nymphal stage passes through five instars and lasts 50-100 days. The last instar is close to 8 mm long. Adult females can live for 1 year and lay up to 500 eggs.

Damage

Adults and nymphs suck on the green berries and, after the harvest, on different parts of the trees. However, the main damage is caused by a secondary infestation of the berries by Ashbya spp. , fungi that destroy the seeds. After the harvest, Antestia bugs may feed on the tips of coffee branches, stimulating shoot development. These shoots deplete the plant ’s re ­ sources but bear no fruit. Antestia bugs may also attack flower buds, which turn black and fail to develop into fruits.

Population Management

There are more than 20 parasitic wasps that attack Antestia bugs in East and Central Africa. Aridelus spp. , for example, attack the nymphs and are particularly important in these re ­ gions. Asolcus spp. are significant egg parasitoids. The parasiticfly Bogosia rubens (Villeneuve) attacks the adults. Other natural enemies of this pest are closely related predatory bugs, Control measures in Africa include pruning to open the tree andhand collecting the berries in small coffee plots. Sprayingwith the insecticide malathion or fenitrothion is necessary when the population exceeds two individuals per tree.