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Hypothenemus hampei, the coffee berry borer, is a serious pest of coffee. It is a small beetle that bores into coffee berries and feeds on the beans. The larvae cause the most damage as they tunnel through the beans, causing them to rot. This reduces the quality of the coffee and can lead to yield losses of up to 30%. H. hampei is native to Africa but has spread to many countries in Asia, South America and Oceania where coffee is grown. It was first found in Brazil in 1971 and has since spread to all major coffee producing regions. Control of this pest is difficult as it can breed rapidly and develop resistance to pesticides. Cultural practices such as pruning and selective harvesting can help reduce infestations.