Coffee, Borer Beetles and the Yellow Warbler

Coffee borer beetles are widely considered the top pest for coffee farmers. They start by boring a small hole in the berry (hence the name) and depositing eggs, which hatch and then feed on the bean. Originating in Central Africa, they can now be found in nearly every other coffee-producing country, except Nepal and Papua New Guinea. It's estimated that they've cost the coffee industry worldwide over $500 million in losses! No wonder farmers despise these tiny troublemakers! Along with fighting these pests with pesticides, farmers also appreciate the birds that eat these beetles, thanks to the yellow warbler in particular, which consumes 50% of the coffee borer beetles and saves the average-sized coffee farmer nearly $10,000 annually. Go, Warblers!