Indian Meal Moth

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Description

The Indian meal moth has a wingspan of about 3/4 inch. The color of the outer two-thirds of the wings is bronze to reddish brown, while the part of the wings closer to the body is grayish white (the wing marking pattern allows the Indian meal moth to be easily distinguished from other household moths). They are a dirty white color, sometimes exhibiting pink or green hues. The larvae (caterpillars) are about 1/2 inch long when mature.

Habitat

Indian meal moths are generally brought into homes by infested food packages. They are found primarily in kitchens and food storage areas. These insects feed on grain products. The larvae leave a silken thread behind wherever it crawls so that the food surface may become covered with webbing produced by the larvae. The adult moths are frequently seen in cabinets, kitchen pantries, countertops, and around windows.

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Diet

The larvae (caterpillar) of the Indian meal moth feed upon a wide range of foods. The most commonly infested foods include coarsely ground grain (e.g., cornmeal), cereal products, dried herbs and fruits, nuts, powdered milk, flour, spices, dry pet foods, and bird seed.

Life Cycle & Reproduction

A female Indian meal moth can lay from 100 to 300 eggs during her lifetime. Eggs are laid directly on food or in crevices adjacent to the stored food products. Within a few days, the tiny whitish larva (caterpillars) emerge. Depending on the environmental conditions and the quality of the food source, it can take from two weeks to one year for the larvae to reach full size.

When mature, the larva spins a silken cocoon and transforms into light-brown pupae. Adults emerge in four to thirty days, mate, and females lay the next generation of eggs. During this time, the female may deposit over 300 eggs directly on food or in crevices adjacent to the stored foods they feed. Since the moths do not feed, they usually survive little more than a week.

Threat

The Indian meal moth is considered a common pantry pest and is one of the more common moths infesting stored grains and grain products. It is not a significant problem in Utah, but it can be troublesome occasionally.