An infestation of Indian meal moths is characterized by what feature?

An infestation of Indian meal moths is prominently characterized by the presence of silk-like webbing on the surface of infested material. This webbing is a result of the larvae spinning silk as they move about their habitat, typically in food storage areas. The silk webbing serves to provide the larvae with some protection while they feed and develop.

In food storage, this characteristic webbing can be observed on bags of flour, grains, and other stored products, often indicating that the moths have infested those areas. The webbing might also occur in corners or on shelves where infested items are stored, making it a clear sign of an Indian meal moth problem.

Other features, like the presence of larvae in food storage or dead insects scattered around, could also suggest pest activity but are not as distinctive or easily observable as the silk webbing itself. Sticky traps can help monitor pests but do not specifically indicate an Indian meal moth infestation in a definitive way. Thus, the silk-like webbing stands out as the most telling sign of these moths in an infestation scenario.