
Community identification
Pantry Moth Larva
Plodia interpunctella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera: Pyralidae
- Size
- 12–13 mm (0.5 in) at full growth.
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.