Did You Know
Indian Meal Moth
Stored-Product Pest—Indian Meal Moth
Size
Indian meal moth adult has wingspread of about 5/8-3/4 in (16-20 mm).
Characteristics
Adult has hind wing that is broader than the front wing and fringed with long hair-like scales. Larva has 5 pairs of well-developed prolegs on abdomen, each with hooks.
Color
The Indian meal moth has pale gray wings, but the front wing is reddish brown and coppery on the outer two-thirds. Mature larva is usually dirty white, but may vary to greenish, pinkish, or brownish, depending on the food it eats; head region is yellowish to reddish brown.
Where
The Indian meal moth originated in the Old World, but now occurs around the world.
Habitat
The Indian meal moth larva's home is your food!
Diet
Grain, grain products; lots of different dried foods, such as fruit, nuts, seeds, crackers, and powdered milk; chocolate, candy; dried red peppers; dry dog food; bird seed.
Biology
The Indian meal moth female lays 100-400 eggs, singly or in small groups, on food material during a 1-18 day period of time. The newly hatched larva establishes itself in a crevice of food material, making a webbed tunnel-like case of frass and silk, in which, or near which, it feeds. Temperature and availability of food determine the length of the larval stages (13-288 days). The last instar larva leaves the food to find a suitable place for pupation. The complete life cycle takes 25-135 days, with 4-6 generations per year.
Damage
Adults cause no damage. Larvae produce the web material found in food, such as dried fruits, whole wheat and graham flours, cornmeal, and shelled or ear corn.
Invasion
Indian meal moths enter structures in boxes and bags of food from grocery stores.
Detection & Control
1. Inspect incoming items.
2. Supply ventilation.
3. Keep buildings in good physical condition to reduce entry.
4. Quickly remove spilled grain.
5. Keep facility clean, maintain grounds.
6. Store pallets 18 inches away from walls
7. Replace torn package
8. Rotate food and nonfood stock; move out oldest stock first.
9. Identify species correctly.
10. Use light traps and/or electrocuters.
11. Fumigate if appropriate.
12. Use insect pheromone and/or baited monitoring devices.
13. Use only registered pesticides. Read entire label, and follow all directions, heeding restrictions and precautions.
