Indianmeal Moth Larva (or similar stored product moth larva)
Plodia interpunctella (for Indianmeal Moth, but specifics depend on exact species)
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera, Pyralidae (or similar family within Lepidoptera)
- Size
- Larvae typically 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6-13 mm) long, white/cream colored with a darker head.
Natural Habitat
Pantries, kitchens, food storage areas, mills, and warehouses. They infest a wide range of dry foodstuffs.
Diet & Feeding
Broad range of dry stored food products including grains, cereals, dried fruit, nuts, birdseed, pet food, spices, and chocolate. They feed on the surface or bore into items.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae weave silken webs as they feed, which can be a key indicator of infestation. Prior to pupation, they often leave the infested food source to find a secluded spot, often climbing walls or ceilings away from the food source to pupate.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Primarily a pantry pest, causing contamination and damage to stored food products, rendering them unpalatable. They do not bite or sting and are not known to transmit diseases. Benefits: None in a domestic or food storage context; they are solely considered pests.