Coffee Berry Borer vs Tumbu Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Coffee Berry Borer Tumbu Fly
Scientific Name Hypothenemus hampei Cordylobia anthropophaga
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Curculionidae Calliphoridae
Size 1.5-2 mm 9-12 mm
Habitat Farmland Indoors
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Central Africa (native), Pantropical (invasive) Sub-Saharan Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Coffee Berry Borer

A tiny, dark brown beetle that bores into coffee berries and is the most damaging pest of coffee worldwide. Females tunnel into the berry and lay eggs inside.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few animals that can detoxify caffeine, thanks to gut bacteria that break down the alkaloid.

Tumbu Fly

An African blow fly whose larvae cause furuncular myiasis in humans and animals. Females lay eggs on soil or clothing hung out to dry.

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Did You Know?

Ironing clothes thoroughly after drying them outdoors kills the eggs and prevents skin infestation.