ABSTRACT
The major pests of stored grain, flour and meal include a variety of microorganisms, insects and rodents. The pest status of the insects that infest grain, flour and meal is based primarily on the aesthetics of their presence, and to some degree by the taste imparted to the food. The Indian meal moth and Mediterranean flour moth were at one time represented by populations feeding on a variety of plant material in the natural environment. The occurrence of flour and grain-product pests in modem household environment may be decreasing. There is a limited amount of whole grain or flour stored in modem households. Insects that attack food and fabric can have pest status outside household setting. The larvae of both species have a tendency to seek soiled portions of fabric to feed on due to their need for vitamin B. There are several species of Hemiptera and Hymenoptera that are predators and parasites of fabric pests and stored product insects.
