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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Pyralid and Crambid Snout Moths (Pyraloidea) » Pyralid Moths (Pyralidae) » Phycitinae » Phycitini » Ephestia Series » Plodia » Indian Meal Moth - Hodges#6019 (Plodia interpunctella)
Photo#495703
larva - Plodia interpunctella
Copyright © 2011 Lynette Elliott

larva - Plodia interpunctella
Puyallup, Pierce County, Washington, USA
March 6, 2011
Size: 5 ~ 10 mm
Here is a larva my daughter found living on her flip-flop. When she pulled the sticker off the flip-flop this was living between the sticker and the fabric... was stuck there. It had a little area of webbing as well. The sticker says made in China, and the flip-flop came from Fred Meyer. I hope to keep it alive to see what it is. Right now I have it in a jar with a paper towel. I figure if it can live on fabric, it can live on paper.

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larva - Plodia interpunctella larva - Plodia interpunctella pupa - Plodia interpunctella pupa - Plodia interpunctella Indian Meal Moth - Plodia interpunctella
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Contributed by Lynette Elliott on 6 March, 2011 - 12:57pm
Last updated 8 April, 2011 - 7:14pm

Moved
Moved from Butterflies and Moths.
… Lynette Elliott, 8 April, 2011 - 7:14pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Lynette Elliott, 6 March, 2011 - 1:13pm login or register to post comments

sounds like a
plan..
… Edna Woodward, 6 March, 2011 - 1:07pm login or register to post comments

Indian Meal Moth?
Compare Plodia interpunctella, the Indian Meal Moth. It is an American species; "Indian" refers to the American Indians.
… John F. Carr, 6 March, 2011 - 1:02pm login or register to post comments

 
Indian Meal Moth
certainly seems likely. Do you think it can live by eating a paper towel? Maybe I should add some flour as well.
… Lynette Elliott, 6 March, 2011 - 1:07pm login or register to post comments

 
Birdseed or corn works
Indian meal = corn meal, according to our page. I know they eat birdseed (sunflower seeds, mostly) because that's where I find mine. Flour should work too.
… John F. Carr, 6 March, 2011 - 1:14pm login or register to post comments

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