Indian meal moth (larva)

Natural Habitat

Worldwide in human structures, particularly pantries, kitchens, food storage facilities, and warehouses.

Diet & Feeding

Starchy and dried foods including grains, cereal, cornmeal, flour, nuts, dried fruit, birdseed, and pet food.

Behavior Patterns

The larvae spin distinctive silken webbing over the food they infest. They undergo five to seven larval instars before crawling away from the food source to pupate in cracks or crevices.

Risks & Benefits

They are a major economic pest causing significant food waste through contamination with frass and silk. They are harmless to humans if accidentally ingested, but they can damage ecosystems by competing with native species for resources.

Identified on: 3/13/2026