Indian Meal Moth (Larvae/Pupa remains)
Scientific Name: Plodia interpunctella
Order & Family: Order Lepidoptera, Family Pyralidae
Size: Larvae are roughly 1/2 inch (12 mm) long; adults have a wingspan of 5/8 to 3/4 inch (16–20 mm).
Natural Habitat
Found worldwide in pantries, kitchens, food storage facilities, and grocery stores where dried food products are kept.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on a wide range of dried food goods including cereal, flour, pasta, rice, nuts, dried fruits, birdseed, and pet food.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae spin silk webbing through the food they infest, often leaving behind clumps of frass (droppings) and silk; pupation often occurs in crevices away from the food source.
Risks & Benefits
No health risk from bites or stings, but they are a major pest that causes significant food waste through contamination with webbing and waste products.
Identified on: 6/28/2026