BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS

Indian-Meal Moth, Plodia interpunctella

Order: Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Size: Wingspan 1⁄2–3⁄4"

Habitat: Indoor places with a food source, especially kitchens, pantries, and warehouses, or outside in warm climates (they do not tolerate cold)

Range: Worldwide

The Indian-Meal Moth is a native of South America that has become naturalized across the globe from the transport of foods that contain its eggs and larvae. It is also known as the Pantry Moth, and is a considerable pest in homes and anywhere dried foods are stored. The adult is tiny, with narrow forewings that are pale gray-brown at the base, dark reddish brown on the outer half, and overlaid with broad, broken, charcoal gray transverse bands. The hindwing is uniformly off-white, but is usually hidden by the tightly folded forewings. The surface of both wings may show a metallic sheen. The body is brown above, gray below, with long, thin antennae. The caterpillar, known as a “waxworm,” is smooth and shiny, white, creamy, or pale gray, with a brown head. Feeding caterpillars will leave a residue of silk webbing inside the food source. The caterpillar eats various grains (especially cornmeal, from which its common name is derived), cereals, dried foods, and pet food. Adults do not feed.