Effect of physiological status on olfactory and visual responses of female Hypothenemus hampei during host plant colonization

Summary The response of Hypothenemus hampei (Ferr.) (Coleoptera, Scolytidae) (coffee berry borer, CBB) females to olfactory stimuli was demonstrated to be related with the physiological status; especially with age, whether they were mated or not, and whether they have already oviposited. A special behaviour, the abandonment of the native berry, was also found to play a major role. In contrast, response to visual stimuli (false coffee berries) was found to be independent of the physiological status of CBB females. Variations in behavioural responses to visual and olfactory stimuli are discussed in relation to colonization strategy.