
Community identification
Pantry Moth Larva
Plodia interpunctella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera, Pyralidae
- Size
- Approximately 12 mm in length when mature.
Natural Habitat
Pantries, kitchens, and food storage facilities containing dried goods.
Diet & Feeding
Dried food products including grains, cereals, nuts, seeds, flour, birdseed, and dried fruit.
Behavior Patterns
The larvae spin silk webbing across food surfaces as they feed. They often crawl away from food sources to find crevices to pupate.
Risks & Benefits
A significant economic pest that causes food spoilage and contamination. They pose no direct physical risk to humans but can result in food waste.