Aphanus (Hem., Lygaeidae) in stored Ground-nuts

Abstract

A bug identified as Aphanus littoralis, Dist., but believed to be synonymous with A. sordidus, F., was found infesting stored ground-nuts at Yola, Nigeria. It had not hitherto attracted attention in this country, but was found later to be recognised by native farmers as associated with ground-nut plants drying in the fields at harvest.The nuts concerned were in war emergency mud and thatch stores which were much cooler than the (uninfested) corrugated-iron stores normally used. This difference is believed to have favoured the infestation.The adults and nymphs cause damage by sucking the oil from the kernels. Loss of weight and germinative power, and development of free fatty acids and rancid and bitter taste follow. It was found, however, that bugs could not penetrate more than three inches or so into the bulked kernels, so damage was not extensive.