Indian meal moth identification (Plodia interpunctella)


Insect identifier · Often confused insects

How to identify a Indian meal moth

Plodia interpunctella
· Also called pantry moth, flour moth, meal moth

Indian meal moth identification photo

People search “indian meal moth” because it looks like something that bites. Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella) does not bite or sting people. Also called pantry moth, flour moth, meal moth.

Moths in the cereal cupboard are meal moths.

What does a indian meal moth look like?

Indian meal moth is About 8–10 mm. Colors: brown, tan, copper. Marks: Copper and tan wings; Flies in the kitchen; Webbing in flour or cereal.

Indian meal moth is About 8–10 mm. Colors: brown, tan, copper. Marks: Copper and tan wings; Flies in the kitchen; Webbing in flour or cereal.

Identification marks

  • Copper and tan wings
  • Flies in the kitchen
  • Webbing in flour or cereal

Size: About 8–10 mm
Colors: brown, tan, copper
Where: indoor

Indian meal moth vs Clothes moth

Kitchen and grain = pantry moth. Closet and wool = clothes moth. Neither bites.

Range and season

Active year-round in kitchens. Places: kitchen. The moth in the flour. Does not bite. Larvae in grain.

Pantries.

The moth in the flour. Does not bite. Larvae in grain.

Year-round in kitchens

Common questions

Do pantry moths bite?

No.

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