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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#840977
Small Moth - Plodia interpunctella
Copyright © 2013 Ashley Bradford

Small Moth - Plodia interpunctella
Alexandria, Fairfax County, Virginia, USA
August 21, 2013
Size: ~7mm
Today I looked in the container and saw that the moth had emerged from the cocoon, so hopefully this mystery can finally be laid to rest - what kind is it? And is it a seed-eater? Is it normally found in Virginia, or did it probably arrive in a bag of bird seed?

Thank you!

Images of this individual: tag all
Beetle Larva? - Plodia interpunctella Beetle Larva? - Plodia interpunctella Beetle Larva? - Plodia interpunctella Small Moth - Plodia interpunctella
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Contributed by Ashley Bradford on 12 September, 2013 - 11:38pm
Last updated 13 September, 2013 - 12:23pm

We think wherever these are found,
it is because of bagged food or seed brought into the home, so putting your location in the location fields is perfectly acceptable and standard practice on BugGuide. Check the data map and you will see that they are everywhere!
… john and jane balaban, 13 September, 2013 - 8:28am login or register to post comments

 
Oh I see!
Well they are good at getting around, then! I'm amazed they could survive the packaging process and hanging out in a bag for who knows how long. But then, I suppose they're packed right in to a bunch of food - as long as they get out by moth stage, they're good to go - or, if several end up in the bag together and there's enough air, they can just keep it going in there??
… Ashley Bradford, 13 September, 2013 - 12:23pm login or register to post comments

Plodia interpunctella - Indian Meal Moth
Moved from Butterflies and Moths.

Nice photos!
… Maury J. Heiman, 13 September, 2013 - 12:00am login or register to post comments

 
Thank you
so much! :)
… Ashley Bradford, 13 September, 2013 - 12:21pm login or register to post comments

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