These are small moths with a wing- span of 5/8 to 3/4 inch and bicolored forewings (half pale gray, half coppery brown). Mature larvae are about 1/2 inch long, off-white in color, and frequently have a pinkish or greenish hue. Adults fly slowly, and when at rest the wings are held parallel along the body.

The life cycle is quite variable in length from about a month to as long as 10, depending on temperature and food availability. Each female moth can lay 100 to 400 eggs singly or in groups on the larval food (stored product). Adults do not feed or cause direct damage. Larvae create a tunnel out of silk and debris on their food source where they remain feeding as they grow. When ready to pupate, the larva migrates away from the food source in search of a suitable pupation site. In the fall, it is common to see many Indian meal moth larvae migrating, en masse, across kitchen or pantry ceilings.

Large amounts of webbing and debris will build up in a package damaged by Indian meal moths. Larvae will feed on a wide variety of foods, including candy, dried fruits, nuts, powdered milk, grain, processed grain products, dog food, and bird seed. It is one of the most commonly seen pantry pests of homes and grocery stores.