Skip to main content

Hot Topic

For coffee farmers: Everything you need to know about the Antestia Bug 

For many coffee growers, the Antestia bug is a major challenge. Learn more about pest prevention and control in our new factsheet.

Paula Ott, Naturland e.V.

Service & Expertise

The Antestia bug (Antestiopsis spp.), or variegated coffee bug, is a significant pest in Arabica coffee, especially in Eastern Africa. From nymphs to adults, all development instars, feed on most parts of the coffee bushes. An Antestia bug infestation can lead to a direct yield reduction of up to 40 percent. For many coffee growers, the Antestia bug is a recurring and major challenge. The presence of even one or two bugs per tree is considered an economic risk and this would require action to avoid economic crop losses. The infestation can lead to the so-called 'Potato Taste Defect', which can cause the coffee beans to take on the flavour and smell of raw potatoes. Already one bean can spoil an entire batch of coffee.

Naturland has complied a new fact sheet for its members, which presents the most important features for recognising the pest, its damage symptoms and population dynamics. Furthermore, the most important organic measures for pest prevention and control are introduced.

One measure of successful and long-term control of the Antestia bug is the incorporation of agroforestry systems in coffee production. Naturland recognises the value of agroforestry systems, which is why according to the Naturland standards coffee and cocoa are cultivated in agroforestry systems appropriate to local conditions.

The factsheet in English is available here ("Technical information" > "Plant Pests and Diseases"). Further translations will follow.

The Antestia bug (Antestiopsis spp.). Source: Wikimedia Commons

This text is a translation. No guarantee can be given for the correctness.

Author

Paula Ott supports the Naturland Academy and compiles training materials, including technical information and agricultural best practices.