Bug Identifier
Pantry Moth Larva
Community identification

Pantry Moth Larva

Plodia interpunctella

Order & Family
Lepidoptera: Pyralidae
Size
12–13 mm (0.5 in) at full growth.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Pantries, kitchens, and food storage facilities containing dried goods.

Diet & Feeding

Stored grains, cereals, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, flour, and spices.

Behavior Patterns

The larvae spin silken webs throughout infested food sources to travel and protect themselves before pupating.

Risks & Benefits

A major pest that ruins food by contaminating it with silk, feces, and shed skins; however, they pose no direct health risk or disease transmission to humans.