Arthropods Associated with Stored Groundnuts in Nyasaland

Abstract

Groundnut production is on the increase in Nyasaland. African cultivators use the kernels for food and as a cash crop. When ripe the groundnuts are harvested, sundried, and stored in the villages. They are stored in their pods in an undecorticated condition inside mudded bamboo storage containers which vary in shape and capacity. These storage containers stand on raised platforms about 12 to 14 in. above ground level. A vent, which is usually kept plugged with mud, exists near the base of the storage containers so that the groundnuts may be withdrawn by hand. In the villages the groundnut storage containers are usually placed beside those containing maize on the cob. The storage season commences during late March and early, April, and continues through at least one year. During February and March of the current year, the author undertook an entomological survey of the groundnut storage containers in 50 different villages located in five separate production areas within the Central Province of the Protectorate. Old crop (1954) groundnuts only were examined, which had been stored for nearly a year under typical African storage conditions. The survey procedure adopted was first to obtain sanction from the village headman to examine a specific quantity of groundnuts from each container. For convenience, the measure employed was a local basket commonly used in the villages for sieving or holding maize. This basket held roughly from 5 to 7 lb. of groundnuts. Each sample was spread out on the ground, or on a mat if available, and examined for the presence of insects and mites. From each sample eight handfuls were set aside for groundnut damage counts. All damaged pods were put into Kilner jars and taken back to the laboratory for dissection.