Indian Meal Moth Larva

Natural Habitat

Predominantly indoor environments like kitchens, pantries, and food processing facilities, but can also be found in outdoor agriculture areas.

Diet & Feeding

Stored grain products, including flour, cereal, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate, and dry pet food.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae produce characteristic silk webbing over the surface of their food source. Once ready to pupate, they often crawl away from the food source to walls or ceilings, spinning a cocoon in a crack or corner.

Risks & Benefits

Considered a major pest of stored food products. While they do not bite or spread disease, they cause significant economic loss through food contamination. They offer no direct benefits to the human ecosystem.

Identified on: 4/2/2026