Indian Meal Moth
Indian meal moth adults have a 5/8″ to ¾” wing span. The wings are a copper brownish color with a grey band near where the wings attach to the body. The larvae are about ½” long and dirty white in color. The head is a reddish-brown color.
Order/Family
Lepidoptera/Pyralidae
Scientific Name
Plodia Interpunctella
Biology
Adult females lay 100-400 eggs at night over a period of about 18 days. The larval development requires 13- 288 days. The average life cycle, egg to egg, requires 25- 135 days. There are usually 6 generations per year.
Behavior
Indian meal moths infest common stored products such as whole grains, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, beans, crackers, biscuits, dried dog food, bird seed and red peppers. The larvae produce silk webbing over the surface of the materials upon which they are feeding.
The larvae move into cracks and crevices in the food material, feeding within or near this silken mat. The mature larvae often move away from the infested materials to pupate in cracks and crevices. This behavioural pattern often allows them to be discovered by home owners.
Control
All infested items must be discarded and all uninfected products should be placed in insect-proof containers. Shelves and cupboards should be thoroughly vacuumed and treated with a residual pesticide. Pheromone traps can used to help locate areas of activity.
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Clothing Moth
Adult, case making clothes moths are approximately 3/8 to ½ inch from wing tip to wing tip. The wings and body are buff to golden with a brown tinge, and the front wings have three dark spots. However, these distinguishing characteristics are often rubbed off.
The larvae are small caterpillars, 3/8 inch long in size, that live within a small portable, silken case. The larvae have dark head capsules and the first thoracic segment is dark brown or black.
Order/Family
Lepidoptera/Tineidae
Scientific Name
Tinea Pellionella
Biology
Female clothes moths begin laying eggs (37-48) singly on suitable larval food the day after emerging as an adult. The larva feed for about 33-90 days and moults 5-11 times.