Indian meal moth

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in human-inhabited areas, specifically in kitchens, pantries, and food processing facilities.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on stored grains, cereal, cornstarch, bread, pasta, dried fruits, nuts, and dry pet food.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. Females can lay up to 400 eggs directly on or near food sources. The larvae produce silk webbing throughout their food supply as they feed.

Risks & Benefits

Considered a major household and commercial pest. They do not carry diseases or bite, but they contaminate food sources with feces, silk webbing, and shed skins, making the food unfit for human consumption.

Identified on: 2/18/2026