Indian Meal Moth Larva (Pantry Moth Larva)

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in stored food products, such as pantries, cupboards, and grain storage facilities. They infest grains, flour, pasta, cereal, nuts, dried fruits, and spices.

Diet & Feeding

The larvae feed on a wide variety of dry foodstuffs, including cereal, cornmeal, flour, rice, nuts, chocolate, candies, pet food, and birdseed.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae spin silk webbing as they feed, which binds food particles together. When ready to pupate, they often crawl away from the food source to cracks and crevices, climbing up walls or shelves.

Risks & Benefits

They are a common household pest causing significant food spoilage and waste. While they do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases to humans, infested food is contaminated with their webbing, frass (droppings), and cast skins and should be discarded.

Identified on: 3/2/2026