
Community identification
Indian meal moth (larva/pupa stage)
Plodia interpunctella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera: Pyralidae
- Size
- 10 to 12 mm (larvae); wingspan of 16 to 20 mm (adults)
Natural Habitat
Pantry and food storage areas where grains, nuts, dried fruits, and pet food are stored
Diet & Feeding
Stored dry goods including cereal, flour, rice, birdseed, chocolate, and dried pet food
Behavior Patterns
Larvae spin silk webbing in infested food; they often crawl away from their food source to pupate in crevices or on ceilings
Risks & Benefits
Major household pest that contaminates food with webbing and frass; generally harmless to human health if accidentally ingested, but can cause significant economic loss through food waste