Indian meal moth (larva/caterpillar)

Worldwide distribution, commonly found in pantries, warehouses, and locations where grains or dried food products are stored.

Larvae feed on a wide variety of dried foods including cereals, flour, cornmeal, crackers, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, chocolate, and pet food.

The caterpillar larvae spin silken webs as they feed, which often binds food particles together. They are nocturnal and may wander away from the food source into wall crevices or ceilings to pupate in a cocoon.

They are major pests of stored products, causing food waste through contamination with silk webbing, frass (droppings), and shed skins. They do not bite, sting, or carry diseases, but infested food should be discarded.