Nakitende, Alice2026-07-012026-07-012025-10Nakitende, A. (20250). Optimization of an ethanol-baited trap for management of the black coffee twig borer in robusta Coffee-banana systems of Uganda.Kyambogo University(Unpublished work)https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12504/2968x, 88 p. : col.The Black Coffee Twig Borer (BCTB), Xylosandrus compactus poses a significant threat to Uganda’s coffee industry, causing yield losses of up to 9.6% and an economic loss of about US$42.9 million. Farmers currently manage this pest using labor intensive cultural practices and costly chemicals, which can also harm humans and the environment. In response, the National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI) developed an ethanol-baited NARO-BCTB trap to assist in their management. Although farmers see promising results, the trap's effectiveness can be improved through modifications. A study was therefore conducted at NaCORI to evaluate trap design (with or without flaps as well as the number and size of windows), ethanol concentration, and trap spacing on the catch of adult. Trap design was assessed through a field experiment utilizing a split-split plot design, and trap catches were assessed weekly for six months. In addition, the ability of five (5) different ethanol concentration levels to attract adult X. compactus beetles was evaluated in a Y-tube alfactometer laboratory assay. For each concentration, 250 adult beetles were released individually in a Y-tube and observed for 10 minutes, and response towards air, ethanol sample, or no response was recorded. Furthermore, a combined effect of ethanol concentrations and trap spacing on BCTB trap catches was tested in a Robusta coffee-banana field in a split-plot design. Traps without flaps captured 8% more beetles, than those with flaps. The flapless trap with two 6x4 cm windows were the most effective. No interaction was found among trap type, window number, and size. BCTB response rose with ethanol concentration, peaking at 70% (62.8%) and declining at 96% (23.6%). A significant interaction occurred between ethanol concentration and spacing, with the highest captures (18.0 beetles) at 70% ethanol and 30 m spacing, comparable to 50% ethanol at 20 m (15.3 beetles). Thus, flapless traps with two 6 × 4 cm windows, baited with 50 and70% ethanol and spaced 20 and30 m apart are recommended to reduce X. compactus infestation and increase yields in Robusta coffee–banana systems.enCoffeeDiseases and pestsXylosandrus compactusInsect trapsBook