Coffee Berry Borers are Unintentionally Assisting the Ants that Hunt Them – CoffeeTalk

Coffee berry borers, pests that inhabit coffee fruit, have been observed creating opportunities for certain ant species to reproduce within the tunnels they carve. Jonathan “Jonno” Morris documented this behavior in Chiapas, Mexico, noting that ants, such as Wasmannia auropunctata and several Pseudomyrmex species, can occupy and use these chambers as nurseries after the beetles are driven out. This represents the first evidence of ants utilizing the spaces originally created by coffee berry borers for their reproductive needs.

The ecological implications of this relationship are significant: while coffee berry borers typically cause damage that is hard to mitigate due to their protected lifestyle, the presence of ants using these abandoned tunnels may strengthen the ant population, enhancing their role as natural pest controllers. Morris’s research indicates that some ant species actively clean and enlarge the beetles’ former tunnels, providing optimal conditions for their brood, all while remaining close to potential new borer infestations.

Morris stumbled upon this phenomenon in 2016 while working on a different project at an organic coffee farm. His initial observations laid the groundwork for a deeper investigation, later returning in 2025 to gather more evidence and document these interactions through photographs. The findings were then published in *Ecology*, shedding light on a complex ecological dynamic.

This discovery aligns with the concept of indirect niche construction, illustrating how the actions of one species, like the coffee berry borer, can inadvertently benefit another, such as the ants. It challenges the conventional view that all pests must be eradicated for effective ecosystem functioning, suggesting that small pest populations may actually support beneficial species like ants by providing food and nesting opportunities.

Morris emphasizes the value of direct field observations in scientific research, noting that significant discoveries can emerge from simple, fundamental inquiries rather than solely relying on advanced technologies. He advocates for continued funding and support for basic scientific exploration, drawing parallels to the foundational work of historical figures like Charles Darwin.

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