Climate change could increase prevalence of coffee-eating bug

Deborah Bates

14/10/2011 13:41:11

As the world’s climate continues to change, the prevalence of berry borer - a bug that attacks coffee beans whilst they are still growing - is set to rise.

According to Guardian.co.uk, research from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) confirmed the news; which could prove worrying to those cultivating coffee crops.

If not mitigated, the rise in the bug could mean these farmers have to work even harder to fulfil the demand for supplies for bean-to-cup coffee machines.

Climate change as a whole has worried growers of coffee beans, the news publication also revealed. This is because the growth of coffee beans will be affected by ever-changing temperatures.

Africano Kangire, head of Uganda’s Coffee Research Centre, explained that certain varieties of coffee face a more significant threat from global warming and the borer than others.

In addition to the Arabica species, Robust could be affected too. Kangire stated on Allafrica.com: “The study is of immense significance as earlier studies estimate that nine per cent of Uganda’s total Robusta Coffee annual potential output is lost to the coffee borer pest.”

However, it is thought that in order to protect themselves as much as possible from the borer, coffee growers could consider moving their crops underneath a patch of shade; perhaps under large trees.