Indianmeal moth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Indianmeal moth | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Pyraloidea |
| Family: | Pyralidae |
| Subfamily: | Phycitinae |
| Tribe: | Phycitini |
| Genus: | Plodia Guenée, 1845 |
| Species: | P. interpunctella |
| Binomial name | |
| Plodia interpunctella (Hübner, 1813) |
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| Diversity | |
| 1 species (?) | |
| Synonyms | |
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The Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella), also spelled Indian meal moth, also known as the North American High-Flyer, is a moth of the family Pyralidae. Its larvae (caterpillars), commonly known as waxworms, are a common grain-feeding pest found around the world, feeding on cereals and dry grain products.
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[edit] Etymology
The common name for this species was coined by Asa Fitch, an entomologist employed by the state of New York during the nineteenth century. In a report published in 1856, Fitch described the species, noting that the larvae infest stores of cornmeal, which was then called "Indian meal".[1]
Indianmeal moths are also sometimes referred to as "flour moths" or "pantry moths".
[edit] Life cycle
Female moths lay between 60 and 400 eggs[2] on a food surface, which are ordinarily smaller than 0.5 mm and not sticky. The eggs hatch in 2 to 14 days.[2] The moth larvae (known as waxworms) are off-white with brown heads. When these larvae mature, they are usually about 12 mm long. The larval stage lasts from 2 to 41 weeks, depending on the temperature.[2]
Adult moths are 8–10 mm in length with 16–20 mm wingspans. The outer half of their forewings are bronze, copper, or dark gray in color, while the upper half are yellowish-gray, with a dark band at the intersection between the two.
The entire life cycle may range from 30 to 300 days.[2]
[edit] Systematics
The genus Plodia is closely related to the genera Cadra and Ephestia,[3] which both also have pest species. The almond moth (Ephestia kautella) is commonly confused with the Indianmeal moth.
[edit] Pest Control
After larvae or moths have been found, it is important to throw out all grains (cereal, bread, pasta, rice), spices, dried fruits (raisins), and any other food sources that are not in very tightly sealed containers. The moths are able to get into surprisingly tight spots, including sealed bags and Tupperware containers. The food they infest will often seem to be webbed together. They are also notoriously difficult to get rid of, and can crawl on ceilings and spin cocoons in rooms other than the kitchen or pantry where they hatched. Last instar larvae are able to travel significant distances before they pupate. When seeking the source of an infestation, do not limit your searches to the immediate area where pupae are discovered.[4]
One way to keep the moths away is to place bay leaves in the food containers along with the original grains.[citation needed] However, products already affected should still be thrown away.
Nontoxic traps are also available to inhibit the development of adult moths and precipitate their destruction. For example, one type of trap is a triangular box with a lure inside and sticky walls. These traps are generally known as pheromone traps. In this case male moths are attracted inside by the female pheromone (the lure) and then get stuck against the sticky walls inside of the box.[5] Moths often do not even need a lure, as common glue traps sometimes work well to reduce the number of adults.[citation needed]
The moth is parasitised by a braconid wasp Bracon hebetor which is a potential biological control agent.
[edit] Footnotes
[edit] References
- Fitch, Asa (1856). First and Second Report on the Noxious, Beneficial and other Insects of the State of New York. Albany: C. Van Benthuysen.
- Lyon, William F.. "Fact Sheet: Indianmeal Moth". Ohio State University. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2089.html. Retrieved 2006-09-07.
- Fasulo, Thomas R.; Marie A. Knox. "Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella Hübner". UF / IFAS Featured Creatures. http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/stored/indianmeal_moth.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
- Horak, Marianne (1994): A Review of Cadra Walker in Australia: Five New Native Species and the Two Introduced Pest Species (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae). J. Aust. ent. Soc. 33: 245–262. doi:10.1111/j.1440-6055.1994.tb01226.x PDF
[edit] Gallery
 Illustration of adult moth |
 Larva |
 Empty pupal case |
 Adult moth |
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Plodia interpunctella |
- Pantry Pests, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Lancaster County
- Scarabogram Bug of the Month: Indianmeal Moth
- Home and Garden: Indianmeal Moth
- OzAnimals - Indianmeal Moth
- University of California Integrated Pest Management: – Pantry Pests
- Ladd Research: Indian Meal Moth – Identification
- Get Rid of Things: How to Get Rid of Moths
