Résumé
Coffee is the backbone of Uganda's economy, contributing about 18% of foreign exchange earnings valued at US$ 446 annually. Additionally, nearly 15 million people, draw their livelihood from from coffee-related activities along the value chain. Currently, production of the crop is threatened by a relatively new pest, the black coffee twig borer, Xylosandrus compactus, (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). (Here-after referred to as BCTB). A country-wide survey conducted during 2012/13 showed that the pest is rapidly spreading from its secondary epicenter in Kayunga and Mukono districts (Central Uganda) to most of the Robusta coffee growing regions of the country. The survey results further revealed 8.6% death of primary branches that translates into 8.6% loss of coffee export volume and foreign exchange valued at US$40 million annually at the current market prices and production volumes. In related studies, higher BCTB incidences and damage was recorded on shaded than on un-shaded coffee trees. In addition, suveys for its alternate hosts revealed that more than 30 plant species which are commonly intercropped in coffee are alternative hosts of BCTB. These include shade trees like Albizia spp. that have been actively promoted for their excellent shade structure and nitrogen-fixing capacity. Being a relatively new coffee pest in Uganda, there is generally limited information on BCTB and its management. Research efforts to-date have focused on surveillance of its spread and impact with a view of preventing further spread to new areas and minimizing its impact in already infested ones, identifying bio-ecological drivers of its population dynamics, and developing integrated pest management (IPM) packages for its management. A preliminary IPM package has been assembled for use by coffee farmers. This combines community-based phyto-sanitary actions and chemical sprays using imidocloprid (IMAXI or KOHINOR or CONFIDOR) mixed with tebucozanole (ORIUS), eliminating known alternate hosts (including Albizia spp.), proper management of shade trees and coffee canopies, and proper soil fertility and soil moisture management. Future research strategies for better management of BCTB are briefly discussed here. (Résumé d'auteur)