The incidence and management of white stem borer is the most talked about subject in the arabica coffee growers' circle in Karnataka at present. Though this serious pest of coffee is not unfamiliar to the arabica growers ever since they took up coffeeplanting, the present crisis with regards to its management is an unprecedented one in the recent time. Devastation of arabica plantations by stem borer was experienced during the earlier part of the twentieth century when there were no effective methods available for its management. Judicious use of pesticides coupled with better plantation management practices kept this pest at low population levels, not affecting the general performance of plantations. However, the present high level incidence of this pest is a matter of concern and a detailed consideration of all the factors responsible is required to understand the situation and adopt remedial measures.
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