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Indian Meal Moth (Plodia interpunctella)
Biology
- Length: 5/8 to 3/4 inch
- Wings are pale gray colored at the base while the outer portion is reddish brown.
- Larvae are normally a dirty white color about ½ inch long.
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Distribution/Habits
- Found throughout the world.
- Infest grain products and a wide variety of seeds and nuts, chocolate, dry pet foods, dry fruits, powered milk,
graham crackers, biscuits, dried red peppers, etc.
- Larvae produce webbing throughout infested material.
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Webbing Clothes Moth (Tineola bisselliella)
Biology
- Wings are buff or putty in color and unspotted.
- The adult body is covered with shiny golden scales.
- Reddish hair can be found on the top of the head.
- Antennae are darker than the body.
- Length of folded wings is 1/4 to 1/3 inches.
- Hind wing margins are trimmed with long hairs.
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Distribution/Habits
- Distributed world-wide, most common of the fabric moths in the United States.
- Eggs are oval in shape, about 1/24 of an inch in length, and ivory in color.
- Eggs are often laid in small groups.
- Eggs are laid among threads of clothing and fastened there by a gummy secretion.
- Damage to clothing is done by the larvae.
- Larva is translucent and has 3 pairs of jointed legs and 4 pairs of prolegs.
- Larva has short antennae, but no eyes.
- Larvae spin a feeding tunnel of silk.
- Larvae hatch and sometimes enter a dormant resting stage for no apparent reason that may last up to 24 months.
- Adults live 15-30 days.
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