What is the most common pest of coarsely ground flours and cornmeal?

The Indian meal moth is recognized as the most common pest of coarsely ground flours and cornmeal due to its lifecycle and feeding habits. This moth is highly adapted to stored food environments, particularly grains and mill products. Female Indian meal moths lay their eggs in or near food sources, and when the larvae hatch, they begin to feed on the flour and cornmeal, which provides them with the necessary nutrients to grow.

Their ability to survive in less-than-ideal conditions for other pests, combined with their attraction to a range of dried food products, allows them to proliferate in grains, flour, and similar items. This makes them particularly problematic in households and storage facilities where such products are kept. Understanding the behaviors and preferences of the Indian meal moth aids in the development of effective pest control measures to mitigate their presence in stored food items.