Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Plodia interpunctella (Hübner, [1813])
Tinea interpunctella Hübner, [1813]
Tinea zeae Fitch, 1856
Tinea castaneella Reutti, 1898
Unadilla latercula Hampson, 1901
Ephestia glycinivora Matsumura, 1917
Ephestia glycinivorella Matsumura, 1932
* phylogenetic sequence #317300
* species name often misspelled interpunctata; various other misspellings are common.
Explanation of Names
Common name Indian Meal Moth is from another name for corn meal, which the moth's larvae were found feeding on by Asa Fitch (1809-1879), the New York State entomologist who coined the common name.
Specific epithet
interpunctella is Latin meaning "well divided, pointed."
(1)Numbers
The only species in this genus in North America.
Size
Wingspan 13-20 mm.
Forewing length 5-8.5 mm.
(2)
Larva to 12 mm.
Identification
Adult - bicolored forewing with the basal half light gray or whitish, and the distal half reddish-brown, coppery, or dark gray. Hindwing white or pale gray.
Larva - body whitish to yellowish, head yellow to reddish-brown, short prolegs on abdominal segment 3-6 and 10.
Range
Native to South America; now cosmopolitan.
Habitat
Larvae are found in stored food products; adults are found indoors wherever food products are stored. In warmer environments may be encountered outside where it likely feeds on waste orchard fruits and seeds.
(2)Food
Infests a wide variety of stored food products such as flour, oatmeal, dried fruits, seeds, nuts, powdered milk, biscuits, chocolate, and bird seed.
Life Cycle
Several generations per year indoors. Can complete the entire life cycle in as little as 18 days.
(2)Remarks
Larvae spin silken threads as they crawl through stored products, creating a matted layer of product, frass, and pupal cases.
Print References
Covell, p. 407, plate 58 #20
(3)
Hübner, J. [1813]. Sammlung europäischer Schmetterlinge:
plateInternet References
live larvae image (U. of Arkansas)
adult and larva illustrations plus identification, food items, biology, control (William Lyon, Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet)
live adult and larva images plus discussion on population, food items, biology (Gerry Conley, tardigrade.net)
drawings of all life stages plus discussion on biology and control (Louise Kulzer, tardigrade.net)
Fact sheet from Penn State
