Indian meal moth

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in residential pantries, kitchens, food warehouses, and processing plants.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on stored grains, cereals, flour, dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, and dry pet food.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are nocturnal and often seen flying in a zig-zag pattern. Larvae spin silken webs throughout the food source they are consuming.

Risks & Benefits

Major household and commercial pest. Risks include significant food contamination and spoilage through silk webbing, frass (droppings), and pupal cases. They pose no direct medical threat to humans or pets but cause economic loss.

Identified on: 12/26/2025