Is it a pantry moth?
The pantry moth is a small moth whose larvae feed on stored dry goods, commonly encountered in kitchens and pantries.
whichbug identifies insects from what you can see. It does not identify bites and has no health information.
What to look for
| Size | 10-12 mm wingspan |
|---|---|
| Colour | irregularly patterned with shades of grey, brown, and copper |
| Shape | narrow, elongated body with a distinct fringe of long hairs along the wing margins |
| Wings | held roof-like over the body at rest, with a broad fringe of long hairs |
| Antennae | thread-like, slightly serrated in males and filiform in females |
| Movement | erratic, fluttering flight pattern, often flying close to surfaces |
Where you'll find them
kitchen cupboardspantry shelvesstorage containersbehind appliancesnear pet food bagspantry pest
larvae contaminate and consume dry stored food products, leaving behind webbing and frass.
Season: year-round, with peaks in warmer months
Signs it's around
- silken webbing on food surfaces
- clumped food particles with larval casings
- small holes in packaging
- presence of adult moths flying near food sources
Not sure? The lookalikes
| vs clothes moth | clothes moths are smaller (8-10 mm) and lack the copper-brown wing pattern, appearing more uniformly pale or golden |
| vs flour beetle | flour beetles are hard-shelled, wingless or short-winged beetles with a distinct segmented body, not a soft-bodied moth |
| vs weevil | weevils have a distinct elongated snout (rostrum) and a more compact, beetle-like body shape compared to the moth's soft, hairy wings |