Indian meal moth (caterpillar/larva)

Natural Habitat

Worldwide distribution, commonly found in pantries, kitchens, and food storage facilities containing dried goods.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of dried foodstuffs including flour, cereal, pasta, grains, nuts, birdseed, pet food, and dried fruit.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae spin silken webs as they feed, which can mat food together. They often crawl away from their food source to pupate on walls or in ceiling corners.

Risks & Benefits

They are major pests of stored grains and pantry items. While they do not bite or sting and are not known to transmit diseases, they contaminate food with webbing, frass (excrement), and shed skins, necessitating disposal of infested goods.

Identified on: 7/1/2026