Currently viewing the category: "Pantry Moths, Clothes Moths, Case-Bearers and Meal Moths"
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Casebearing Moth Larva

On · Category: Clothes Moth and Meal Moth Caterpillars, Pantry Moths, Clothes Moths, Case-Bearers and Meal Moths Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: What’s this bug?
Location: KauAi
December 30, 2016 10:26 am
Found in my home on Kauai. It’s pretty small…a little bigger than a cantaloupe seed.. I’ve seen a few individual ones at different times…. should I be concerned?
Signature: Mahalo, Shannon

Case Bearing Moth Larva

Dear Shannon,
This is the larva of a Case Bearing Moth, a species found in proximity to humans throughout the world.  Though we do consider them to be household pests, they do not do significant damage.  They will eat shed pet hair and other organic detritus found in the home, and we have posted images of them getting into pet food.

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Indian Meal Moth

On · Category: Pantry Moths, Clothes Moths, Case-Bearers and Meal Moths Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Bug
Location: Warsaw mo. 65366
September 28, 2016 10:44 pm
It kinda looks like a moth! They are always on the curtains, betting and couches! When I kill them it’s all powdery! I want to say it’s a greenish coler with black dots! What do you think they are? It kinda looks like this picture but that’s not it!
Signature: Thanks, Brandy

Indian Meal Moth

Indian Meal Moth

Dear Brandy,
This is an Indian Meal Moth, and the numbers you are finding in your home most likely means you have an infestation in your pantry.  Try looking at stored grain products to see if there is a long expired box of cornmeal or oatmeal at the back of the top shelf.

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Indian Meal Moth

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Subject: Moth like Bug
Location: Dallas Texas
September 24, 2016 5:02 pm
Hello! For a few weeks now I have seen these moth like bugs in my house! At first I thought it was just from us in and out the door when the porch light was on or the garage door was open. However, now I know that there is some type of issue. Back in March I had a 60 lb bees honey comb removed from in between my bedroom floor and the bottom level of the house, my son’s bedroom ceiling. Is it a termite, a moth in my grains, larva for another bug? Please be so kind to give me your expertise and advice.
Warmest,
Signature: Tiffiney

Indian Meal Moth

Indian Meal Moth

Dear Tiffiney,
It is time to clean out the pantry.  This is an Indian Meal Moth, a species that infests stored grain products like oatmeal and cornmeal that were left on the shelf too long.  They will also infest stored nuts and spices.

Daniel,
Thank you so much. Last night I finally seen some in the top of the pantry. I had read that they can be attracted to grains. I had some old cornmeal I never used that has been there for over a year on the top shelf. I so appreciate you responding and your expertise! I love your website and I would love to blog about it soon.
warmest and thank you so much,
Tiffiney

Cornmeal is one of their favorites.

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Indian Meal Moth

On · Category: Pantry Moths, Clothes Moths, Case-Bearers and Meal Moths · Add Comment

Subject: Pesky bugs everywhere!!!
Location: Southern California U.S.A
April 7, 2016 6:18 am
I live in Southern California and recently since I had new roommates there’s been a LOT of these bugs each time I go into my room. They don’t do much they’re just always placed on the walls. I believe they may be moths but could be something much worse. They’re quite small about half an inch but I would really appreciate some identification as I’m concerned of any health issues or what may have brought them.
Signature: Annoyed Adrian

Pantry Moth

Pantry Moth

Dear Annoyed Adrian,
This is an Indian Meal Moth, a type of Pantry Moth.  The larvae of Pantry Moths feed on stored grain products, including flour and corn meal.  You might have all your room mates check for a forgotten bag of chocolate chip cookies under the bed, or perhaps a slice of pizza fell under the couch cushion.  You can also investigate the pantry for that three year old carton of oat meal, and don’t forget the spice drawer.

Thank you so much! I’ve been embarrassed recently to have any friends over and see the moths on the walls in my room. I’ll look around to remove any food that may be attracting them and tell my roommates as well. Thank you so much again for identifying and providing info about them.

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Case Bearing Moth Larvae eat Catfood

On · Category: Clothes Moth and Meal Moth Caterpillars, Pantry Moths, Clothes Moths, Case-Bearers and Meal Moths · Add Comment

Subject: catfood insects
Location: North central Florida
March 27, 2016 5:52 am
Hi, lately I’ve noticed some kind of insect or something around the catfood bowl. They arrange around a solitary piece of catfood in a flower petal fashion. At first I thought some type of silverfish, but these don’t have any noticeable antennae or feet. I thought they must move extremely slowly, but recently I noticed some move. They appear to gather around a piece of wayward dry catfood for days. When I first saw them, they were completely around a piece of catfood and it looked like (from a distance) a plastic flower or something, so I picked one of them up. They almost cotton-like to the touch. Any ideas?
Signature: //Dan

Case Bearing Moth Larvae eating cat food.

Case Bearing Moth Larvae eating cat food.

Dear Dan,
We are amazed that the organized manner in which these Case Bearing Moth larvae are eating cat food.

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Indian Meal Moth

On · Category: Pantry Moths, Clothes Moths, Case-Bearers and Meal Moths Tagged With: · 1 Comment

Subject: Please identify the bug
Location: Bedroom
November 16, 2015 6:03 pm
Please help identify the bug in the attached picture. Few bugs like this are found in my bedroom.
Signature: Raj

Indian Meal Moth

Indian Meal Moth

Dear Raj,
The location field of our submission form should be used for a global location to help facilitate identification as many “bugs” have a limited range, but since this Indian Meal Moth is a cosmopolitan pest of stored grain products, it doesn’t matter where your bedroom is located.  You should check the pantry to find the site of the infestation.

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