Which insect type is mainly known for causing infestations in stored food?

Beetles are primarily known for causing infestations in stored food. This is largely due to several species of beetles, particularly those in the families such as Tenebrionidae (darkling beetles) and Anobiidae (woodboring beetles), which are proficient at infesting grains, dried fruits, and other pantry items. The larvae of these beetles can thrive in stored products by feeding on them, leading to significant contamination and loss of food resources.

Their ability to reproduce quickly and adapt to various environments enables them to become a persistent issue in household and commercial storage spaces. Understanding the specific behaviors and life cycles of these beetles is crucial for effective management and control of food-related infestations.

In comparison, centipedes are primarily predators and typically inhabit moist environments rather than associating with stored foods. Wasps are more associated with outdoor nesting and predation on other insects, and fleas are parasitic insects that thrive on animal hosts, making them unrelated to food storage concerns.