Indian Meal Moth (Pantry pest)
The pantry moth or Indian meal moth is considered the most troublesome pest infesting stored products in the United States. They attack all cereal products, whole grains, dried fruits, pet foods, birdseed, dried milk, and nuts. You can find more information via the link for Indian meal moths.
Characteristics
Size: 8–10 mm in length with 16–20 mm wingspans
Color: Pale gray in color and reddish-brown or coppery luster of their outer forewing.
Habits: This moth will go after almost any food source, including grains, flour, and even pet food. They will chew through cardboard and plastic to get to the food source. Indian meal moths will lay their eggs in the food, and larvae will hatch in warm conditions.
These moths are nocturnal, which also makes it difficult to spot them. An Indian meal moth infestation can go for months without being detected within a large warehouse. These moths are tiny, and most infestations will go unnoticed until much damage has already happened.
