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Identification: Differences Between Beetles and Moths
Often the first indication of the infestation is the appearance of small moths flying about or the presence of beetles in or near the food package.
The moths are considered the flying pantry pests.
The weevils and beetles are the crawling pantry pest.
The moths fly in a zig zag pattern and the beetles and weevils can be seen many times on counter tops and inside cabinets.
Adult moths and adult beetles are easy to distinguish from each other, but their larvae are a little harder to see the visible differences.
Using a hand lens should help you identify the larvae.
Beetle larvae are either grublike and legless or have only three pairs of legs, all located close to the head.
Moth larvae have three pairs of true legs, plus additional leg-like structures further down the abdomen.
Both larvae and adults of beetles feed on foodstuffs, whereas only the larval stage of moths consumes stored products.