| Indian Meal Moth (Plodia interpunctella (Hübner, 1813)) |
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Scientific name: Plodia interpunctella (Hübner, 1813) Common name: Indian Meal Moth French name: Teigne des fruits secs Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Heterocera Family: Pyralidae Subfamily: Phycitinae Wingspan: 16-20 mm. Biotope: Inside human buildings where caterpillars feed on various dry food of vegetable origin, cereals, bread, pasta, rice, flour, dry fruits, etc. Geographic area: Originated from India, this small moth is now found worldwide because of the transport of grains. Flight time: All year. Number of generations : There are several broods per year. They are not aligned on seasons but based on the temperature inside the buildings where the larvae grow. Caterpillar: White with a brown head. Host plant: Grains and grain-derived products. |
The basal area of the fore wings is a pale beige copper colour. The other half of the wings, towards the apex, is dark grey, bronze, copper or reddish with dark brown marks. Both areas are separated by a dark stripe. The hind wings are a uniform greyish colour. The Indian Meal Moth is attracted to light. Caterpillars often move far from the place where they have grown to pupate. The Indian Meal Moth is considered as a pest. |
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These Indian Meal Moths, observed in my workshop (hopefully not in the kitchen), show wings with a dark brown marginal area. The pictures displayed by the various galleries you can browse on the Internet show more reddish colours. However I have read that these colours are variable. |
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I need to pay attention to the hazelnuts I am used to storing in this room! Nut Weevils are already eating more than one half of the nuts on the tree, if now these caterpillars eat the other half, what will remain for me? Well some pictures of Moths and Weevils :-)) |
André Bon March 2013