What kind of insect is this in my wheat grinder - left dormant for 8 years ?
I got out my 30 year old Magic Mill wood stone wheat grinder, after not being used for at least 8 years. It was stored in the laundry room, and I had stupidly left about a half teaspoon of hard red winter wheat flour in the collector (& stone grinding area). I was surprised to find about 8-10 of these dark brown/black appearing larvae still alive and moving around after all this time. They are about 1/2" long, and I took these photos with a digital microscope, so they look larger than life.
Larvae image #1 [1]
Larvae Image #2 [2]
I have not seen any of the more typical brown flour beetles that chomp through boxes and bags (about the size of a small sesame seed), nor any moths. There was also tons of carmel colored smaller, dried out poppy seed size particles & some webs all over every aspect of the grinder. I scraped some and took another shot that is more detailed under microscope. I'm assuming these must be dried out eggs?
Larvae Eggs ??? [3]
Anyway, I'm totally freaked out about using this old Mill, as it is very hard to get it all apart enough to clean thoroughly...and am thinking about just getting a new Nutramill to replace it.
Any idea what these critters are...and how they could still be alive after at least 8 years?
I wasn't sure where to post this, but I had linked photos, so if moderator needs to move it, please do.