About Pod Sucking BugThis insect pest occurs in all groundnut growing areas in India.The adult is dark brown bug (Fig.). In the field, the females lay their eggs in the soil or on groundnut haulms. In storage eggs are laid loosely among the groundnuts or on sacks.All stages of this insect attack pods as well as kernels (seeds).

Damage: This bug feeds on pods left in the field to dry, or on stored pods. In storage this bug feed on seeds, perforating the pod with their rostrum. This causes the seeds to shrivel and increases the free fatty acid content of the oil, producing a rancid flavor. Thus, the quality of groundnuts, and also the keeping quality of groundnuts are affected.

Management of Storage Pests
Maintenance of optimum moisture content (not >5%) is always critical in preventing the development of storage pests.
For protection against these 2 storage pests groundnuts should be stored unshelled.
If groundnuts are stored as seed, care should be taken to avoid breakage.
Broken seeds should not be stored for long periods.
Dusting with an inert substance such as attapulgite-based clay dust (ABCD) can help to minimize storage insect problems.
Fumigation of pods with Aluminum phosphide (Celphos) at 3 g tablets per bag of groundnut (40 kg) and covering the sacks with polythene sheet for 5 days can effectively control bruchids without affecting the seed viability.
Fumigation should be done only in well aerated places outside the residential areas or in seed godowns only, under the supervision of plant protection specialist.