Indian Meal Moth (Cocoon/Larva)

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in pantries or food storage areas where dry goods are kept. The cocoon stage is often found in corners, cracks, or crevices near food sources.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on stored grains, flour, cereals, nuts, dried fruits, birdseed, and pet food. The adult moths do not eat.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae spin silken webbing as they feed, which binds food particles together. When ready to pupate, they often crawl away from the food source to finding a crack or corner (often on walls or ceilings) to spin a cocoon, which is what appears to be pictured here.

Risks & Benefits

They pose no direct health threat to humans (they do not bite or sting) but are a major pantry pest. They contaminate food with webbing, frass (droppings), and cast skins, rendering the food inedible.

Identified on: 2/20/2026