How to Identify Indianmeal Moths

Indian Meal Moths are a common household pest found in pantries, cupboards and other places grain products are stored. Identifying infestations early makes controlling the pantry moths, also known as flour moths, easier.

Identifying Adult Indian Meal Moths

The adult Indian meal moths are about 1 centimeter long and have a wingspan of about 2 centimeters while in flight. When they are landed on a flat surface with their wings folded, Indian meal moths appear almost rectangular, rather than having a triangular wing silhouette like some other types of moths, and are about half an inch long and an eighth of an inch wide. The lower half of the wings is dark brown, and the half of the wings nearest the moth’s head is light brown. Adults are attracted to light and may fly around lamps, overhead light fixtures and TV sets.

Identifying Indian Meal Moth Larvae

While adult indian meal moths fly around in a pantry or cupboard, the larvae stick close to the food source, and are often found in flour, grain and dried fruits. Less commonly, the larvae may infest chocolate or other softer candies. Flour moth larvae have a pale, nearly white body and brown head. Full-grown larvae are about 12 millimeters long. At first glance, they resemble a piece of uncooked long grain brown rice.

Identifying Other Signs of Indian Meal Moth Infestation

Less commonly found than adults or larvae, Indian meal moth pupae are about 3/8 inch long and dark red-brown in color. The larvae leave behind molted skin and silk threads that tangle into webbing masses that may be found around the openings of jars or flour bags, or holding together clumps of flour, grains or seeds in an infested container.