Preharvest insect pests of peanuts and associated aflatoxin contaminants in Georgia, USA

On-farm losses of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L., Fabales: Fabaceae) pose a persistent threat to the sustainable production and value of peanuts in the United States. This study presents empirical data on the spatial distribution of subterranean insect pests and various quality aspects of peanuts. Surveys were conducted in 20 randomly selected peanut fields in 10 counties in Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest Georgia. The primary insect pests found in Georgia's peanut production counties were Pangaeus bilineatus (Say), Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller), and Diabrotica undecimpunctata Howardi. In the northeast counties, a high prevalence of P. bilineatus led to a significant increase in insect-damaged pods (%IDP), insect-damaged kernels (%IDK), discolored kernels (%DK), pod weight loss (%PWL), and kernel weight loss (%KWL). Similarly, southeast counties had a high %DK, cracked pods (%CP), and E. lignosellus infestation. In southwest counties, predominantly high D. undecimpunctata infestations resulted in the highest %IDP. Moisture content (%MC) was excessively high in all the counties (22.19%-23.17%). Preharvest aflatoxin contamination in peanuts was prevalent across all studied locations, particularly in counties with a high incidence of P. bilineatus and may cause increased risk in aflatoxin levels along the supply chain. Nevertheless, the diverse regional abundance of insect pests and the widespread presence of aflatoxins in Georgia's peanut fields offer valuable insights for developing integrated pest management strategies targeting subterranean insect pests. This is especially crucial in addressing the impact of P. bilineatus, E. lignosellus, and D. undecimpunctata on aflatoxins content of peanuts and determining the pathway for mitigation of aflatoxin contaminations in peanuts at harvest.