Indian meal moth

Natural Habitat

Worldwide, most commonly found in pantries and food processing facilities

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on stored products including grains, cereals, nuts, dried fruits, flour, chocolate, and pet food

Behavior Patterns

Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. Females lay up to 400 eggs directly on or near a food source; larvae produce silk webbing through their food source as they feed

Risks & Benefits

Significant household and commercial pest that causes food contamination and economic loss; harmless to humans and pets in terms of disease or stings

Identified on: 4/3/2026