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Indianmeal Moth

What is indianmeal moth?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Scientific name Plodia interpunctella[3]
Family Pyralidae[2]
Common name pantry moth[2]
Adult wingspan about 3/4 inch[1]
Adult length 5/8 inch[6]
Life cycle egg to adult about six weeks[5]

The indianmeal moth (*Plodia interpunctella*) is a common stored-product pest whose larvae feed on dry goods like grains, flour, and nuts, and it is often brought into homes in contaminated packages.

Context

The indianmeal moth (*Plodia interpunctella*) is a common pantry pest, often called the pantry moth [2]. It is a moth in the family Pyralidae [2]. Its larvae feed on stored dry goods like grains, flour, dried fruit, nuts, and pet food [4]. The moth is cosmopolitan and found throughout the United States wherever food is stored [5]. Adults have a wingspan of about 3/4 inch [1]. The life cycle from egg to adult takes about six weeks [5]. It is often confused with clothes moths, but indianmeal moths have two-toned wings, unlike clothes moths [7].

Documented claims

  • Larvae feed on stored food products such as grains, flour, dried fruit, nuts, spices, and pet food. [4]
  • It can be brought into a home in packages contaminated with eggs. [6]
  • Larvae spin silk that accumulates fecal pellets, cast skins, and egg shells. [7]

Related

Rosy Maple MothBoth are common pantry and stored-product pests, and readers may want to compare similar species.Cecropia MothBoth are moths, and readers interested in large North American moths may find this comparison useful.

Questions and answers

How do Indian meal moths get into homes?

They are often brought into a home in packages contaminated with eggs [6].

What do Indian meal moth larvae eat?

They feed on stored food products such as grains, flour, dried fruit, nuts, spices, and pet food [4].

How long does it take for an Indian meal moth to develop?

The life cycle from egg to adult requires about six weeks [5].

Sources

  1. Indian Meal Moths — urbanentomology.tamu.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Indian Meal Moth - HGIC@clemson.edu — hgic.clemson.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Indian Meal Moth | University of Maryland Extension — extension.umd.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Indian Meal Moth—Plodia interpunctella — maine.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  5. Indianmeal Moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Insecta ... — ask.ifas.ufl.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  6. Flour Moth / Pantry Moth / Indian Meal Moth - Home and Garden IPM ... — extension.umaine.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  7. Indian meal moth - Agricultural Biology — agsci.colostate.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature