Indian Meal Moth Larva

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in pantries, cupboards, granaries, and warehouses where dried food goods are stored.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on a wide variety of stored dry goods including flour, grains, cereal, dried fruits, nuts, beans, chocolate, and pet food.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae spin silk webbing as they feed, which often clumps food together. When ready to pupate, they often crawl away from the food source up walls or onto ceilings, which is when they are most commonly spotted.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Major pantry pest that contaminates food with feces, webbing, and cast skins, causing economic loss and food waste. They are generally not a direct health threat such as biting or stinging, but eating contaminated food is undesirable. Benefits: None in a household setting.

Identified on: 2/20/2026