Indian meal moth (larva)

Commonly found in residential pantries, grocery stores, and food processing facilities worldwide.

Stored food products including grains (cereal, cornmeal, rice), nuts, dried fruit, seeds, chocolate, and pet food.

Larvae spin silk threads as they feed, often leaving webbing inside food containers. They frequently migrate away from the food source to pupate in cracks, crevices, or onto ceilings.

Risks: Major nuisance and economic pest that spoils food through webbing, fecal matter, and cast skins. No direct health risk to humans, but can cause localized infestations. Benefits: No notable benefits to humans; primarily a stored-product pest.