Question from Mike:

I was eating dried apples, and afterward it looked like there was spider web in the bag, but then I found worms in the bag of apples. I had been eating dried apples with worms. Is there anything to be medically concerned about regarding having ingested worms and their larvae? Other than it being a disgusting thought?

Answer from Pat:

No harm can come to you from eating a few worms found in dried apples. These worms you ate are similar to the worms that are the larvae of cereal moths found in houses. The eggs were laid by moths who leave a sort of spider web look inside packages they invade. The worms themselves mainly consist of the apple or whatever else they have been eating. I agree with you that it’s a disgusting thought to have eaten them but they are most likely a good source of protein. Many ancient and modern societies eat insects and find them both delicious and nutritious.