What is the damaging stage for the Indian meal moth in stored grain?

What is the damaging stage for the Indian meal moth in stored grain?

• A. Eggs
• B. Larvae
• C. Pupae
• D. Adults

Answer: (B)

The damaging stage for the Indian meal moth in stored grain is the larvae stage. During this phase, the larvae actively feed on various food sources, including grains, cereals, and even dried fruits and nuts. They are known to create webbing and leave behind frass, which can contaminate food supplies. The feeding behavior of larvae is critical because this is when they cause significant damage to stored products, making it essential for pest control efforts to target this stage effectively. Eggs serve as the starting point of the life cycle, but they do not directly cause harm to the stored grain. The pupae stage is a transitional phase where larvae develop into adults and do not feed, thus not contributing to damage during that time. Adult Indian meal moths, while they may lay eggs again and are involved in reproduction, do not feed on the stored grain themselves. Therefore, it is the larvae that are most responsible for the economic impact associated with infestations in stored grain.

The damaging stage for the Indian meal moth in stored grain is the larvae stage. During this phase, the larvae actively feed on various food sources, including grains, cereals, and even dried fruits and nuts. They are known to create webbing and leave behind frass, which can contaminate food supplies. The feeding behavior of larvae is critical because this is when they cause significant damage to stored products, making it essential for pest control efforts to target this stage effectively.

Eggs serve as the starting point of the life cycle, but they do not directly cause harm to the stored grain. The pupae stage is a transitional phase where larvae develop into adults and do not feed, thus not contributing to damage during that time. Adult Indian meal moths, while they may lay eggs again and are involved in reproduction, do not feed on the stored grain themselves. Therefore, it is the larvae that are most responsible for the economic impact associated with infestations in stored grain.