Bug Identifier
Pantry Moth Larva
Community identification

Pantry Moth Larva

Plodia interpunctella

Order & Family
Lepidoptera, Pyralidae
Size
Approximately 12 mm in length when mature.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.