Araecerus fasciculatus
Araecerus fasciculatus, the coffee bean weevil, is a small beetle about 3–5 mm long. It belongs to the Anthribidae family and has a worldwide, cosmopolitan distribution as a pest of stored foods. It attacks a wide range of products, including coffee, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, dried fruits, and nuts, and can also affect field crops. Because of its broad diet, it is an economically important pest in many countries.
The weevil is dome-shaped and dark brown with lighter markings. Its antennae are slender and end in a club of the last three segments. They are capable fliers.
Life cycle and reproduction: Eggs hatch in about 3–15 days (often around 6 days). The larva tunnels into seeds or tubers and pupates inside. Adults emerge by boring to the surface. Males mature about 3 days after emerging; females about 6 days. An egg can develop into an adult in roughly 1–2 months, depending on temperature and humidity. In coffee beans, a female may lay up to 50 eggs. Adults live about 46–66 days under typical conditions around 28°C (82°F).
Impact and damage: In stored products, these beetles reduce quality and mass, especially when storage is humid or poorly controlled. Coffee beans can be damaged during storage, while dried goods and tubers may suffer more significant losses. In the field, infected coffee berries may become small and dark, lowering market value. They can also lay eggs on citrus peels, causing tissue damage if the fruit dries.
Management: To control them, keep storage cool and dry. Fumigation with gases such as aluminum phosphide or phosphine is commonly used; sulfuryl fluoride is also effective against all life stages. Carbon dioxide fumigation is another option. Researchers are exploring pheromone-based traps that use a compound called squalene to attract the beetles and reduce reliance on fumigants.
Taxonomy note: The species has had several names in the past, but Araecerus fasciculatus is the accepted name for the coffee bean weevil.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 09:58 (CET).