Insect of the Month: Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella)
One insect is found more often than any other on stored food and grain in the United States. This is the dreaded Indian meal moth (IMM).
Since they feed on any items containing grain or cereal products, the Indian meal moth alone is responsible for most of the insect problems associated with the food industry. This is one of the easiest stored food insects to identify because the adults have a colorful appearance and the larvae (which look like yellow worms) leave a silken webbing trail wherever they crawl.
Newly emerged adults have bi-colored (copper and tan) wings and measure about 1/2" from top to bottom. The IMM larvae most commonly feed on grain products including flour, cereal, nuts, bird seed and pet food.
What do Indian meal moths look like?
Adults: Up to 13mm (0.5inches) long with wings that have brown copper tips. The part of the wings closest to the head is off white.
Eggs: Oval, ivory in color and 2mm (0.08inches) long.
Larvae: Creamy white, brown head capsule. Coloration varies from cream to light pink color, sometimes pale green.
Pupae: Pupal cases are whitish with a yellow to brownish colored pupa inside.
What is the Indian meal moth life cycle?
Adult Indian meal moths live for 10-14 days. Mated females can lay 200-400 eggs singly or in groups. Eggs hatch in 3-5 days in warmer months and up to 7 days in cooler months. Larvae feed and become mature in 21 days or if 30 days depending on food quality, temperature, and humidity. Larvae will wander and pupation will occur away from infested materials. Adults emerge from the pupae in 7 to 10 days depending on temperature.
Monitoring Guidelines for Indian Meal Moth (Plodia interpunctella)
Click on the image or insect name above to view monitoring guidelines for Indian meal moths. These guidelines include details on Description, Lifecycle, Damage and Detection, Corresponding Products, Fun Facts, and more!
Stay tuned
Next week we are going to be sharing a solution Insects Limited offers when dealing with Indian meal moths and other food moths.
Insects Limited, an Insect Pheromone Company
Insects Limited, Inc. researches, tests, develops, manufactures and distributes pheromones and trapping systems for insects in a global marketplace. The highly qualified staff also can assist with consultation, areas of expert witness, training presentations and grant writing.
Insects Limited, Inc. specializes in a unique niche of pest control that provides mainstream products and services to protect stored food, grain, museum collections, tobacco, timber and fiber worldwide. Please take some time to view these products and services in our web store.
