Which three insect pests are most likely to infest dried nuts and fruits?

Which three insect pests are most likely to infest dried nuts and fruits?

• A. Indian meal moth, Granary weevil, Drug store beetle
• B. Indian meal moth, Sawtooth, Merchant
• C. Cigarette beetle, Angoumois grain moth, Rice weevil
• D. Sawtooth, Merchant, Granary weevil

Answer: (B)

The correct answer highlights the presence of the Indian meal moth, Sawtooth grain beetle, and Merchant grain beetle as the primary insect pests that infest dried nuts and fruits. The Indian meal moth is particularly notorious for infesting a wide range of stored products, including nuts and dried fruits. Its larvae feed on these materials, causing visible damage and contamination. The Sawtooth grain beetle is another pest commonly found in stored grains and dried foods, as its larvae can thrive in a variety of stored food products, making it a significant pest in this context. The Merchant grain beetle also plays a role in infesting dried fruits and nuts, contributing to food spoilage and quality loss. In contrast, the other options include pests that are associated with grain products more generally or have different preferred food sources. This makes the combination in option B the most appropriate choice for identifying pests specifically related to dried nuts and fruits.

The correct answer highlights the presence of the Indian meal moth, Sawtooth grain beetle, and Merchant grain beetle as the primary insect pests that infest dried nuts and fruits.

The Indian meal moth is particularly notorious for infesting a wide range of stored products, including nuts and dried fruits. Its larvae feed on these materials, causing visible damage and contamination. The Sawtooth grain beetle is another pest commonly found in stored grains and dried foods, as its larvae can thrive in a variety of stored food products, making it a significant pest in this context. The Merchant grain beetle also plays a role in infesting dried fruits and nuts, contributing to food spoilage and quality loss.

In contrast, the other options include pests that are associated with grain products more generally or have different preferred food sources. This makes the combination in option B the most appropriate choice for identifying pests specifically related to dried nuts and fruits.