Indian meal moth (larva/pupa stage)

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments where food is stored, such as pantries, kitchens, and food processing plants.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on stored grain products, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, chocolate, and pet food.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae spin silk webbing through food sources as they feed; they often crawl away from food sources to find a high crevice (like a container lid) to pupate.

Risks & Benefits

No health risk to humans or pets; however, they are a major nuisance pest that causes significant food spoilage and economic loss.

Identified on: 5/14/2026