Understanding Coffee Plant Defenses and Coffee Berry Borer Bugs

Coffee plants use caffeine as a natural insect repellent, but coffee berry borer bugs can bypass this defense due to the microbes in their guts. These microbes digest caffeine, allowing the bugs to thrive and cause significant crop losses globally. However, alternative natural pesticides are available to protect coffee crops from these pests.

What natural chemical do coffee plants use to repel insects?

• Capsaicin

• Caffeine

• Nicotine

• Menthol

What percentage of global coffee crop losses are coffee berry borer bugs responsible for?

• 50%

• 60%

• 70%

• 80%

How do coffee berry borer bugs manage to consume caffeine without harm?

• They avoid caffeine altogether

• They are immune to caffeine

• They have a special enzyme

• Their gut microbes digest caffeine

What do the gut microbes of coffee berry borer bugs do with caffeine?

• Expel it as waste

• Use it for nutrition

• Convert it into sugar

• Store it for later use

What is one method mentioned to protect coffee crops from coffee berry borer bugs?

• Physical barriers

• Genetic modification

• Natural pesticides

• Chemical pesticides