Pantry Moth Larva (Indian Meal Moth)

Natural Habitat

Typically found in pantries, kitchens, and food storage areas where grains and dried foods are kept.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on a wide variety of dried foodstuffs including grains, flour, cereal, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate, and pet food.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae produce characteristic silk webbing (seen in the image) and frass (waste) within the food source. They often crawl away from the food source to pupate in cracks or crevices.

Risks & Benefits

They are major household pests that contaminate food with silk, waste, and cast skins, requiring the disposal of infested items. They pose no direct physical health hazard or sting risk to humans.

Identified on: 5/21/2026