Household Level Paddy Storage and Insect Infestation of Paddy, Maize and Mungbean in Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka

A study on household-level grain storage in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, revealed significant insect infestation patterns affecting paddy, maize, and mungbean. The research identified four primary storage structures, with the most common being rooms inside houses, followed by kitchens, outdoor rooms, and temporary huts. Sitophilus oryzae emerged as the dominant stored-grain pest, alongside other species like Sitotroga cerealella, Tribolium castaneum, and Rhyzopertha dominica. Notably, both storage practices and insect abundance varied across divisional secretariats, highlighting regional differences in grain preservation challenges. This study provides critical insights into household storage vulnerabilities, which could inform targeted interventions to mitigate post-harvest losses—a persistent issue in Sri Lankan agriculture.

Kumari, J. M. P., Wijayaratne, L. K. W., Jayawardena, N. W. I. A., & Egodawatta, W. C. P. (2020). Household Level Paddy Storage and Insect Infestation of Paddy, Maize and Mungbean in Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Journal of Agriculture and Ecosystems, 2(2), 70–80. https://doi.org/10.4038/sljae.v2i2.39