Indian Meal Moth

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in pantries, kitchens, and food storage areas where grains and dried goods are stored.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on various stored dry foods including cereal, flour, crackers, pasta, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and pet food.

Behavior Patterns

The adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. Females lay hundreds of eggs directly on food sources. Larvae produce silk webbing as they feed, which often contaminates the food source.

Risks & Benefits

They are a significant agricultural and domestic pest. While they do not bite or sting and pose no direct threat to human health, they contaminate food supplies with webbing and waste, leading to food spoilage and waste.

Identified on: 3/20/2026