Indian Meal Moth

Commonly found in residential kitchens, pantries, and food processing facilities worldwide.

Larvae feed on stored grains, flour, cereals, nuts, dried fruits, and dry pet food. Adults do not feed.

The moths are nocturnal and attracted to light. Larvae spin silken webs through their food sources as they feed; development from egg to adult takes about 30 to 300 days depending on temperature.

They are a significant pantry pest that causes food contamination and spoilage through silk, waste, and cast skins. They do not pose a direct health risk to humans (such as biting or disease transmission) but result in economic loss due to ruined food supplies.