|
|
They can get up to 5/8 inch in length and the front wing of an Indian meal moth is a reddish copper color on the outer two-thirds. They are often mistaken by homeowners for the webbing clothes moth, a fabric pest. Clothes moths, however, have no reddish colored scales on the wings and are generally smaller.
A female Indian meal moth lays 100-400 eggs on food materials during her life span and the larvae grow to ¾ inch in length and have greenish tinge in appearance. They construct webbing cases or tunnels throughout infested food, usually rendering it unusable. At maturity, the larvae crawl out of infested foods and wander on walls, floors, etc. in search of a site to pupate. The fine silk cocoon, which houses a brownish pupa, is often located in corners, in crevices and behind items against or hanging on walls. If the larvae are unable to find their way out of the food package, they will pupate within that container. The life cycle lasts from 25 to 135 days depending on factors such as temperature and food quality. Adult Indian meal moths tend to avoid light and rest quietly on walls and ceilings. This moth is a weak flier and becomes active after dusk or in low light conditions. They are the most common moth of stored, dried foods and is the pest moth most often seen in homes. This moth usually enters homes in boxes or bags of infested foods. This moth infests a wide variety of food items including flour, cereal, nuts, grains, chocolate, birdseed and dried pet foods. It is also present outdoors, occurring naturally and has been known to invade buildings from outside.
The control of any stored product pest involves many steps, primary of which is discovery of infested food items or other sources of infestation. All dried food products need to be inspected for signs of infestation, including cereals, packaged dried foods, nuts and pet foods. Indian meal moths have also been found infesting spices, potpourri and decorations made of vegetative materials. A common source is bags of bird seed stored in the garage or basement. Infestations have also been traced to caches of nuts and seeds accumulated by squirrels or rodents within attics, walls and chimneys. |
