The Indianmeal moth prefers coarser grades of flour and is common in whole wheat or cornmeal. However, it also infests seeds (especially seeds used for bird feed), nuts, whole corn, dried fruit, crackers, powdered milk, chocolate, red peppers, dog food, etc. The extensive silk webbing of the larva contaminates more food than it eats. It is worldwide in distribution and is a very common pantry pest in homes.

The wings on this moth are tan on the base and are reddish brown, with a coppery luster, on the rest. The wingspan is about 19 mm. The female can lay 200 to 400 eggs on larval food over a period of 18 days. The larva is usually dirty white in color but may be other colors depending on its food. Pupation occurs away from the food, far away if there is a heavy infestation, so the source may be difficult to find. The life cycle can be completed in 60 days and there are usually four to six generations per year.

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