Abstract

Coffea arabica L. has commercially grown in more than 10.5 million ha in 80 different countries worldwide. Ethiopia is the largest Arabica coffee producer in Africa and 5th one from the world. Coffee is vital to the economy of East and Central Africa, providing a major source of foreign exchange earnings and as a cash crop, supporting the livelihood of millions of people who are involved in cultivation, processing, marketing, and export. However, coffee production in Ethiopia is highly restricted by many biotic factors. Among coffee insect pests are the ones that limit coffee production and productivity. This work was done to assess the prevalence, incidence, and severity of coffee major coffee insect pests in coffee-growing areas of East Wallaggaa Zone of Oromia. During survey work, 3 potential coffee-growing districts (Diggaa, Sibu Sire, and Gudeya Bila) were used. Accordingly, 3 PAs per district and 5 coffee farms per PA were used. Totally, 45 coffee farms were used for this survey work. Data was collected on the prevalence, incidence, severity, and impact of some factors on the infestation of insect pests. Coffee insect pests were observed across the surveyed area with the different values across surveyed areas. Coffee leaf skeletonizer was observed with 100, 90.67, and 32.01% overall mean prevalence, incidence, and severity across surveyed areas, respectively. Coffee blotch leaf miner was observed with 97.78, 28.22, and 4.27% overall mean prevalence, incidence, and severity across surveyed areas, respectively. while, coffee leaf serpentine was recorded with 100, 44, and 6.08% overall mean prevalence, incidence, and severity across surveyed areas, respectively. Among the three most important insect pests, coffee leaf skeletonizer severely damaged coffee production across surveyed areas followed by serpentine and blotch leaf miners. The infestation rate of these identified coffee pests was influenced by host resistant, field sanitation/management and shade tree status. Therefore, further study is needed regards to insect pest management and on the influence of some biotic and abiotic factors to some coffee insect pests. Any coffee growers can use tolerant coffee variety and proper field management practices.