Microhabitat Location of Exophthalmus jekelianus (White) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Is There a Preference for Shade-Grown Coffee?

Abstract

The Costa Rican weevil, Exophthalmus jekelianus (White) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an economically important defoliator of coffee, Coffea arabica, in the Turrialba region of Costa Rica. Preliminary observations of E. jekelianus behavior suggest a preference for shaded microhabitat, which could have important implications for E. jekelianus management. Our results support that E. jekelianus prefer shade to sun microhabitat in a controlled environment, and furthermore, that E. jekelianus location within the coffee agroecosystem is strongly influenced by both shade and the amount and type of fertilizer applied. We postulate that temperature and humidity of the microclimate surrounding a coffee plant and coffee plant nutritional quality are the key factors in determining microhabitat location for E. jekelianus. Our findings contribute to knowledge of curculionid microhabitat selection and provide novel approaches to monitoring and management of E. jekelianus on Costa Rican coffee.