Bug Identifier
Phycitine Moth (possibly a meal moth or Indian meal moth)
Community identification

Phycitine Moth (possibly a meal moth or Indian meal moth)

Plodia interpunctella (exemplary species)

Order & Family
Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Pyralidae
Size
Wingspan of 16–20 mm; body length approximately 8–10 mm.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in pantries, kitchens, and food storage facilities where grains or dry goods are kept.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on stored dry plant-based foods including flour, cereal, nuts, dried fruit, and birdseed.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light; they do not feed. Larvae spin silken webs over food sources as they eat and go through five to seven instars before pupating.

Risks & Benefits

They are a significant pest of stored food products, leading to contamination and waste. They pose no direct physical health risk to humans (non-biting/non-venomous), but cause economic loss.