First Report of Carpophilus dimidiatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in Stored Groundnut and Field Maize from West Bengal, India

Genus Carpophilus belongs to the family Nitidulidae under the order Coleoptera. Majority of the members under this genus are either sap feeder or fungus feeder. A small number of these, however, is economically categorised as stored grain pests. The commonly known species under this genus are C. dimidiatus, C. hemipterus, C. humeralis, C. marginellus, C. mutilatus, C. obsoletus, C. davidsoni, C. lugubris etc. Among these, Carpophilus dimidiatus (Fabricius) has been reported worldwide as a pest causing significant post-harvest loss. In India, different cereals like bajra, rice products, sago flour as well as oil seeds have been found to be infested by this pest. This pest was reported earlier from our country. But the information on identification as well as the name of the crop(s) infested by the pest were lacking. It was recorded with proper identification in stored groundnut from Bangalore and Chennai for the first time from our country in the year 2022. This report is going to be the first ever report of Carpophilus dimidiatus on groundnut in storage and on maize in field from West Bengal.