In surveys of coffee plantations in Chiapas, Mexico from 1983 to 1985 to assess the distribution and damage caused by the coffee berry borer, prior to parasite introduction levels of infestation were greatest near the Guatemalan border and varied with altitude, the borer was most numerous between 500–1000 m above sea level, corresponding to a mean annual temperature of 23 to 25 °C. Many berries are left on the tree and ground after harvest and high levels of attack were found in both places.