What pest is most likely to infest peanuts in boxcars?

What pest is most likely to infest peanuts in boxcars?

• A. Cigarette beetle
• B. Granary weevil
• C. Confused flour beetle
• D. Indian meal moth

Answer: (D)

The Indian meal moth is the most likely pest to infest peanuts in boxcars, primarily due to its feeding habits and the environments it typically thrives in. This pest is known for infesting stored grain products and a variety of packaged foods, including nuts and seeds. Peanuts, being a food product with a high-fat content, can attract the Indian meal moth, which lays eggs on or near these items. The larvae then feed on the peanuts, leading to damage and contamination. While other pests mentioned may also infest food products, they tend to prefer different types of food or environments. The cigarette beetle, for example, is primarily associated with tobacco products but can also infest stored foods. The granary weevil targets whole grains and is less likely to infest processed food items like peanuts. The confused flour beetle typically infests flour and other similar dry goods, thus making it a less likely candidate for peanuts stored in boxcars.

The Indian meal moth is the most likely pest to infest peanuts in boxcars, primarily due to its feeding habits and the environments it typically thrives in. This pest is known for infesting stored grain products and a variety of packaged foods, including nuts and seeds. Peanuts, being a food product with a high-fat content, can attract the Indian meal moth, which lays eggs on or near these items. The larvae then feed on the peanuts, leading to damage and contamination.

While other pests mentioned may also infest food products, they tend to prefer different types of food or environments. The cigarette beetle, for example, is primarily associated with tobacco products but can also infest stored foods. The granary weevil targets whole grains and is less likely to infest processed food items like peanuts. The confused flour beetle typically infests flour and other similar dry goods, thus making it a less likely candidate for peanuts stored in boxcars.