Although native to South America, the Indianmeal moth is now present throughout most of the world and ranks among the most common stored product pests you'll encounter.

The name comes from an American entomologist who discovered larvae feeding in cornmeal, which was called "Indianmeal" at the time.

Indianmeal moths attack a wide variety of both whole and processed seed products, with a preference for coarse flours like whole wheat and cornmeal. In residential settings, bird seed and dry pet food are common infestation sources. But don't overlook dried fruit, spices, powdered milk, and chocolate.

Understanding their biology helps you control them more effectively. Adult Indianmeal moths don't feed at all. The larvae do all the damage, feeding at the surface rather than deep within infested products.

As they feed, larvae produce silk webbing that creates a warm, humid environment for their development. This webbing mats the surface of infested products and often causes more damage from contamination than from the amount of product actually consumed.

Effective Indianmeal moth management starts with biology, uses monitoring to pinpoint infested sources, and applies the right treatment for each situation. Master these elements, and you'll deliver lasting results for your customers.