It is also not to be confused with the Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella), another common pest of stored grains.

Rather, they are a common grain-feeding pest found around the world, consuming cereals, fruits, and similar products.

Substantial efforts have been taken in the United States to control the moth's damage to grain crops.

It is closely related to the genera Cadra and Ephestia, which include other pest species like E. kuehniella, also known as the "flour moth".

[7] The common name, "Indian-meal moth", for this species was coined by Asa Fitch, an entomologist employed by the state of New York in the 19th century.

In a report published in 1856, Fitch discussed the species, noting that the larvae had been observed to infest stores of cornmeal, which at the time was referred to as "Indian meal".

Moths feed on many plant-based foods including dry pet food (plant based), birdseed, cereal, soup mixes, bread, pasta, rice, flour, spices, dried fruits and nuts.

Groundnuts and maize meal, on the other hand, result in a longer development time for the moths.

[12] Though Indian-meal moths generally do not migrate over long distances, they do engage in long-distance foraging flights.

[13] Usually the life cycle of an Indian-meal moth colony starts in a location where grain is present.

Under optimal conditions a life cycle can be as short as 28 days but cooler winter months prohibit this.

[3][9] Diapause is defined as a delay in animal development due to certain external factors[14] and can end once the adverse environmental conditions wear off.

[15] Indian-meal moths are developing a resistance to many kinds of biological agents, such as the granulosis virus.

[18] Regulations prevent the use of many pesticides near food sources so these pests are highly suitable for control with natural predators.

Male Indian-meal moths ejaculate a greater amount of sperm to females that have mated multiple times previously.

[21] This is considered a form of male-male competition because males that emerge at an appropriate time are more likely to be reproductively successful with the surrounding females.

After approaching the female from the back, the male releases a pheromone from wing glands located at the base of each forewing.

These pheromones induce the female to remain stationary in the acceptance posture (raised abdomen between wings) which facilitates copulation.

The Indian-meal moth's fecundity and fertility was found to be enhanced in the presence of the odor of vital nutrients.

This effect is thought to be genetic since it is not related to parental generations or previous experiences in the lifetime of the moth.

More unusual recorded foods include crushed red pepper, chocolate and cocoa beans, coffee substitute, cookies, dried mangelwurzel, and even the toxic seeds of jimsonweed (Datura stramonium).

[3][28] After larvae or moths have been found, it is important to throw out all food sources not in very tightly sealed containers.

Moth larvae can chew through plastic bags and thin cardboard, so even unopened packages may become infested.

[2] They are also notoriously difficult to get rid of[citation needed], and can crawl on ceilings and spin cocoons in rooms other than where they hatched.

None of the stages of the organism (eggs, larvae, adults) are temperature tolerant and can be killed by a week of freezing or by brief heating in a microwave or conventional oven when such treatment is practical.

Male moths are attracted by the female pheromone (the lure) and stick against the sticky walls inside the box.

[30] The efficiency of traps is doubtful as they only capture males, and usually only a fraction of them, while adult females, eggs and larvae are unaffected, enabling a possible reinfestation.

[31] The caterpillars are parasitized by Habrobracon hebetor, a braconid wasp which is a potential biological control agent.