Abstract The red coffee borer, Polyphagozerra coffeae (Nietner) (formerly Zeuzera coffeae)—native to South and Southeast Asia—is a highly polyphagous wood-boring pest. This review summarizes the biology, ecology, and management of P. coffeae, highlighting the increasing threat to nonnative regions and available options for detection and management. The main concern includes records of colonization of living North American tree species experimentally planted in Asia. Adult flight likely mediates local spread, while long-distance spread typically occurs via human-assisted movement of infested plant materials. The larval galleries hollow out twigs and branches, causing wilt, dieback, breakage, and even mortality of young trees. Early signs of infestation include pellet-like frass extruding from larval entrance holes and pupal skins protruding from exit holes, but these symptoms alone cannot be used to distinguish this species from other wood boring moths. As species-specific lures are not currently available, the detection relies on visual surveys and light traps, which are not species specific. To increase the probability of early detection, community engagement and the training of artificial intelligence models to report the pest are recommended. The most effective response strategies include the removal and destruction of infested material, pruning, and material movement control. Biosecurity research should prioritize the pest’s semiochemical ecology and improving early detection and surveillance programs before its spread.
Dong et al. (Thu,) studied this question.