
Community identification
Indian meal moth (larva)
Plodia interpunctella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera, Pyralidae
- Size
- Mature larvae are about 12 mm (0.5 inch) in length
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in pantries or warehouses where grains, flour, and dried fruit are stored
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on stored products like grain, cereals, birdseed, pet food, and chocolate
Behavior Patterns
Larvae spin silken webs throughout infested food sources and leave their food to find a wall or ceiling for pupation
Risks & Benefits
They are a significant pantry pest that can spoil large quantities of food with their webbing and waste