
Community identification
Indian meal moth (larva)
Plodia interpunctella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera, Pyralidae
- Size
- Larvae grow up to 12-13 mm (about 0.5 inches) long
Natural Habitat
Pantries, food processing plants, and grain storage facilities worldwide
Diet & Feeding
Stored dried products including flour, grains, nuts, birdseed, pet food, and chocolate
Behavior Patterns
Larvae spin silk webbing through their food source as they feed; they often crawl away from food to pupate in crevices
Risks & Benefits
Significant household pest that contaminates food with webbing and frass; not harmful to health if consumed accidentally, but causes food waste