Indian Meal Moth (larva)

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, specifically pantries, kitchens, and food storage facilities containing grains and dry goods.

Diet & Feeding

Stored food products including flour, cereal, nuts, chocolate, birdseed, dried fruit, and pet food.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae spin silken webs throughout their food source as they feed. They often crawl away from the food source to walls or ceilings to pupate.

Risks & Benefits

Major nuisance pest that causes significant food waste through contamination with silk, feces, and cast skins. No health risk to humans if accidentally consumed, but food must be discarded.

Identified on: 1/3/2026