Coffee Leaf Miner 
Not known to occur in Hawaii
​Leucoptera coffeella or Coffee Leaf Miner, is an insect pest not yet found on the Hawaiian islands.

​ General insect description: 
Larvae are transparent and reach 3.5 mm in length. Adult moths are brownish white, with frilled wings and 6.5 mm wingspan.

Plant damage:
As they feed, coffee leaf miner larvae leave pale yellow trails underneath the coffee leaf epidermis. The mining trails then turn into irregular brown spots on upper leaf surface. Physically bending the affected leaf will cause the epidermis to separate. Cocooned pupae are typically found on leaves on the lower third of the plant.
If suspected, what do I do?
  • Contact and report your find immediately to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture by calling their toll-free pest hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378) or by contacting your nearest UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension office (also listed below). Listen carefully to their instructions. Their instructions may supersede any of the instructions below.
    • ​Big Island - Kona - 808-322-4892;  Hilo - 808-969-8201;  Kamuela - 808-887-6183 
    • Maui - Kahului - 808-244-3242 x222
    • Molokai - Hoolehua - 808-567-6929 
    • Oahu - Honolulu - 808-956-7290;  Pearl City - 808-453-6050;  Wahiawa - 808-622-4185 
    • Kauai - Lihue - 808-274-3471 
  • If possible, capture the insect (caterpillar or adult moth) in a jar or container that prevents escape and if it can be done safely.
  • Freeze the insect immediately. Do not smash or damage as identification will be difficult to impossible.
  • Collect samples of damaged plant parts caused or thought to be caused by this pest.
  • For leaves and branches - Refrigerate, but DO NOT FREEZE. Be sure that the pest (assume it is present) cannot escape the container or bag that the leaves are kept in. Double bag or containerize if necessary.
  • Take clear photos and/or video of the insect and damage whether capture is possible or not, and provide them to HDOA and the Cooperative Extension agent. 
  • Flag or visibly mark the area where the pest was found and communicate the find with all farm employees and administrators .
  • Keep people and pets away from the area and DO NOT allow movement of soil, plant materials or supplies from the location that the pest was found.
  • Provide HDOA and the Cooperative Extension agent with information such as your name and contact, the exact location and address of find, and type of host material where found. Personal information will not be shared with the general public.
​​Preventing new pest and disease introductions to Hawaii
Comply with all HDOA and USDA quarantine regulations. Quarantine restrictions have been placed on unroasted coffee, coffee seeds, plants and other propagative materials, used coffee materials and supplies, etc.
Contact website management if you require any assistance with the site or information provided.