Indian-Meal Moth
Common NameIndian-Meal Moth
Scientific NamePlodia interpunctella
FamilyPyralidae
SubfamilyPhycitinae
Wingspan (mm)16
Primary Colorspale gray, reddish-brown, bronze, dark brown
HabitatHuman dwellings, food storage areas, pantries, warehouses
Geographic RangeCosmopolitan (worldwide)
Host Plantsstored grains, cereals, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, pet food
Flight PeriodYear-round (indoors), warmer months (outdoors)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe lifecycle involves four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult moth. Larvae are cream-colored with a dark head and are responsible for feeding on and contaminating food products, often leaving silken webbing.
Identification TipsLook for the unique bicolored forewings with a pale basal section and a reddish-brown/bronze outer section, usually separated by a dark band. They are often found flying erratically near stored food items.
Description
This small moth has distinctive forewings that are pale gray or yellowish-gray at the base and reddish-brown or bronze towards the tip, often separated by a dark, irregular band. Its body is slender and brownish.
