Pyralidae

62.062 Indian Meal Moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner, [1813])

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 6.5 to 10mm

Habitats: Synathropic. Food warehouses, pet shops, barns, houses and occasionally outside.

Habits: The moth can be found on walls where dried foods are stored and easily disturbed if foods are moved. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds in a web amongst stored cereals, dried pet foods, nuts, dried fruits and other dried vegetable matter. It has also been recorded feeding on the wax in beehives and on dried insects. It pupates in a cocoon in or near to the food source.