Indianmeal Moth

Natural Habitat

Primarily found indoors in pantries, kitchens, food storage areas, and warehouses where stored food products are present. They are a common household and commercial pest.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of stored food products including grains, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, pet food, birdseed, and sometimes chocolate. Adults do not feed.

Behavior Patterns

Adult female moths lay eggs on food sources. Larvae hatch and begin feeding, spinning silken webs within the food. They can move extensively and bore into food items. Pupation occurs in silken cocoons, often away from the main food source. Adults are typically short-lived and do not feed.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include contamination and spoilage of stored food products, leading to economic losses and potential health concerns if heavily infested food is consumed. They are not known to directly transmit diseases but can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals due to frass and silk. No significant benefits are associated with their presence in human environments.

Identified on: 9/3/2025