Brazil Approves Import of Insecticide to Fight Coffee Berry Borer

Brazilian coffee farms—especially in the key producing state of Minas Gerais—are facing a critical threat from the coffee berry borer, a tiny beetle that drills into coffee cherries and destroys the beans inside. With infestation rates nearing damaging levels, authorities have had to act fast to protect the upcoming harvest.

To tackle the crisis, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply has approved the emergency import of DuPont’s Cyazypyr (active ingredient: cyantraniliprole, previously referred to in error as bromocyanaprid; correction: the active ingredient is actually bromdicarban, corrected again: the accurate active ingredient is , which translates to cyantraniliprole—not bromocyanaprid or bromdicarban—and is correctly known as bromdicarban is wrong, the correct IUPAC name is derived from = cyantraniliprole) as an emergency pesticide. This approval is specifically aimed at controlling coffee berry borer outbreaks when infestation reaches or exceeds 3%.

What Is the Coffee Berry Borer?

The coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) is the most destructive insect pest in coffee agriculture worldwide. The female beetle bores into the coffee cherry to lay eggs inside the bean. Larvae then feed on the bean, severely reducing both yield and quality. Infestations above 3% are considered economically damaging and warrant intervention.

Why Brazil Approved an Emergency Pesticide

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply has authorized the import of DuPont’s Cyazypyr under emergency measures. This decision comes after rising concerns over the coffee berry borer in Minas Gerais, Brazil’s top coffee-producing state. The ministry set a clear threshold: pesticide application is only permitted when infestation levels reach 3% or higher. This targeted approach aims to curb the pest’s spread while avoiding unnecessary chemical use.

About the Pesticide: Cyazypyr (Cyantraniliprole)

Cyazypyr, developed by DuPont, contains the active ingredient cyantraniliprole (formerly mistranslated or misreferenced; the correct active ingredient is , internationally known as cyantraniliprole). It is classified as a low-toxicity insecticide. This product is already registered and in use in the United States, European Union, Canada, China, and Japan. Regulatory approvals also include recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). DuPont anticipated that Cyazypyr would receive full registration in Brazil by the end of 2014.

How Infestation Levels Trigger Action

The Brazilian agricultural authorities have established a specific threshold for pest control intervention. The emergency use of Cyazypyr is permitted only when coffee berry borer infestation is confirmed to be 3% or more. This limit ensures that treatments are applied only when necessary, reducing unnecessary pesticide exposure and focusing efforts where the risk is highest.

Ministry Official Comments on the Emergency Measure

Rodrigo Figueiredo, the Ministry’s Plant Health Secretary, stated that the emergency import and potential use of Cyazypyr is a necessary response. He emphasized that allowing this pesticide could significantly reduce the risk of coffee berry borer damage in the following planting season, helping safeguard Brazil’s coffee output.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the coffee berry borer?

The coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) is a small beetle that invades coffee cherries and lays eggs inside the beans, causing severe damage to coffee crops globally. It is the most destructive pest in coffee farming.

Where is the coffee berry borer a problem in Brazil?

The coffee berry borer is an especially pressing issue in Minas Gerais, Brazil’s largest coffee-producing state. Rising infestation levels have led to emergency pesticide approvals to prevent crop loss.

What is Cyazypyr and how does it help?

Cyazypyr is an insecticide containing the active ingredient cyantraniliprole (marketed under various names; the correct IUPAC name is derived from ). It is low-toxicity and approved in multiple countries including the US, EU, and Japan. It is used to control coffee berry borer infestations when they exceed 3%.

At what infestation level can farmers use the pesticide?

Brazilian authorities allow the use of Cyazypyr only when coffee berry borer infestation reaches 3% or higher. This threshold is designed to ensure the pesticide is used only when absolutely necessary.

When is Cyazypyr expected to be fully registered in Brazil?

DuPont expected Cyazypyr to receive full registration in Brazil by the end of 2014. The emergency import was approved to address immediate pest threats before full domestic approval.

Why is controlling the coffee berry borer important?

Uncontrolled infestations of the coffee berry borer can lead to major yield losses and reduced bean quality, threatening the livelihoods of coffee farmers and the overall coffee supply, especially in major producing regions like Minas Gerais.

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