Coccotrypes dactyliperda information

Coccotrypes dactyliperda
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Infraorder:	Cucujiformia
Family:	Curculionidae
Genus:	Coccotrypes
Species:	C. dactyliperda
Binomial name
Coccotrypes dactyliperda Fabricius, 1801

Coccotrypes dactyliperda, the date stone beetle, palm seed borer, or button beetle, is an insect belonging to the subfamily bark beetles (Scolytinae). It originates from Africa and is spread around the world due to the trading and transportation route.

The date stone beetle is known as the pest for the date palm. They mainly feed, breed, and live on the dates, which are the fruits of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera). The dates provide enough nutrients to feed 70-80 beetles. Therefore, most beetles can spend their entire life within the same date. They would gnaw a hole on the date seed and create a tunnel. This penetration process leads to severe damage to the date seeds and huge economic and crop loss. Interestingly, the beetle only attacks the green unripe fruit and avoids the ripe fruit.

The date stone beetle has very similar characteristics with Callosobruchus chinensis in respect to behavior and habitat. Reproductive interference is shown between these two species. The date stone beetle uses the haplodiploid sex-determination system and inbred mating is very common. High-relatedness within C. dactyliperda galleries contributes to its high reproductive success and rapid population growth, which is crucial in its short-lived breeding site.

Mechanical pest control using dense netting bunch covers helps to protect dates and other fruits from these pests. Chemical pest control using organophosphates is also effective, but may have negative chemical side effects and requires multiple applications throughout the growing season.