# Coffee Berry Borer

/ˈkɔfi ˈbɛri ˈbɔːrər/ (US) · /ˈkɒfi ˈbɛri ˈbɔːrə/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coffee-berry-borer
Updated: 2026-09-20

## Definition

a small beetle from Africa that lives inside coffee fruits and eats the beans, which causes a lot of damage to coffee farms

For teachers: a scolytid beetle, Hypothenemus hampei, native to Africa, characterized by its habit of boring into and laying eggs within coffee cherries, thereby compromising crop yield and quality.

## Examples

- The farmer was sad because the coffee berry borer destroyed his harvest.
- If you notice tiny holes in the green coffee beans, it might be a sign of a coffee berry borer infestation.
- Agricultural scientists are researching biological controls to mitigate the economic devastation caused by the coffee berry borer in high-altitude Arabica plantations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.