
Community identification
Indianmeal moth
Plodia interpunctella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera: Pyralidae
- Size
- Wingspan of 16-20 mm; body length of 8-10 mm
Natural Habitat
Pantries, kitchens, and food processing facilities
Diet & Feeding
Larvae eat stored grain products, dried fruits, flour, and cereals; adults do not feed
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal; larvae spin silk webs in food sources; females lay hundreds of eggs directly on food
Risks & Benefits
Major domestic and commercial pantry pest; causes significant economic loss and food contamination; no direct physical risk to humans