Indian meal moth (larva)

Pantry and food storage areas globally, specifically in dry stored food goods like grains, flour, and processed snacks.

Larvae consume a wide variety of dry plant-based foods including cereal, flour, crackers, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and chocolate.

The larvae spin silken webs over food surfaces; they go through five to seven larval stages (instars) before pupating in cracks or at wall-ceiling junctions.

They are a major household and commercial pest that causes food spoilage through fecal contamination and silk webbing. They pose no direct physical harm to humans but consume and contaminate food supplies.