
Community identification
Indian Meal Moth (Adult)
Plodia interpunctella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera: Pyralidae
- Size
- 8-10 mm in length with a 16-20 mm wingspan
Natural Habitat
Pantries, food storage areas, and warehouses where dry goods are stored
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on dry foods like cereal, flour, nuts, pet food, and dried fruit; adults do not eat
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal pollinators in the wild; in homes, they fly in zigzag patterns and lay eggs near food sources
Risks & Benefits
A major household pest that spoils food with webbing and frass; poses no direct health risk to humans