Indian meal moth (larva)

Natural Habitat

Pantries, warehouses, grocery stores, and food processing facilities worldwide.

Diet & Feeding

Stored grains, cereal, flour, nuts, dried fruits, birdseed, and dry pet food.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae spin silk webbing as they feed, which can mat food together. They often crawl away from their food source to walls or ceilings to pupate.

Risks & Benefits

They are a major nuisance pest that can cause significant economic loss through food contamination, though they do not bite or spread disease to humans.

Identified on: 12/26/2025