Species Details
Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameIndian Meal Moth
SeasonalityCan be found at any time of the year.
IdentificationA small Pyralid with beak-like, porrect palpi and elongated wings having a span of around 15 mm. The basal half of the forewings are light grayish-tan, greenish when fresh, and an outer half that is dull reddish-brown and contains faint, irregular lead-colored lines. The hindwings are grayish-white. The pale-based forewings and habitat make this species easy to identify. Pyralis farinalis, the Meal Moth, also a household pest, lacks the pale-based forewings.
Scientific Name
Plodia interpunctella
Common Name
Indian Meal Moth
Habitat
Areas where stored food or grain are located.
Seasonality
Can be found at any time of the year.
Identification
A small Pyralid with beak-like, porrect palpi and elongated wings having a span of around 15 mm. The basal half of the forewings are light grayish-tan, greenish when fresh, and an outer half that is dull reddish-brown…
A small Pyralid with beak-like, porrect palpi and elongated wings having a span of around 15 mm. The basal half of the forewings are light grayish-tan, greenish when fresh, and an outer half that is dull reddish-brown and contains faint, irregular lead-colored lines. The hindwings are grayish-white. The pale-based forewings and habitat make this species easy to identify. Pyralis farinalis, the Meal Moth, also a household pest, lacks the pale-based forewings.
Life History
Larvae are wax-like, pale yellow with russet head and shields (Forbes 1923), amongst a silken web which becomes contaminated with frass; pupae in a silken cocoon (Goater 1986). Once an infestation is discovered, the…
Larvae are wax-like, pale yellow with russet head and shields (Forbes 1923), amongst a silken web which becomes contaminated with frass; pupae in a silken cocoon (Goater 1986). Once an infestation is discovered, the effected food source should be discarded and the area cleaned up. Freezing food products suspected of containing larvae is a good idea.
Conservation
Of no concern.
Diet Info
A major pest of stored grains and grain products such as flour or cornmeal (Covell 1984, Goater 1986).
Range
Worldwide. Reported from Area 10 (Edmonton) in Alberta by Bowman (1951). This moth has undoubtedly been found in many homes in Alberta.
Citation
Page Citation for Plodia interpunctella
Page Citation
"Species Details - Plodia interpunctella, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-26447. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
References
Author
Covell, C. V., Jr.
Title
A field guide to the moths of eastern North America.
Publication Date
1984
Pages
496
Author
Bowman, K.
Title
An annotated list of the Lepidoptera of Alberta.
Publication Date
1951
Series Title
Canadian Journal of Zoology
Volume
29
Pages
121-165
Author
Goater, Barry
Title
British Pyralid Moths, a guide to their identification.
Publication Date
1986
Author
Forbes, William T. M.
Title
The Lepidoptera of New York and neighboring states : Part 1
Publication Date
1923
Series Title
Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station. Memoir
Volume
1
Pages
729
Specimen Information
There are 27 specimens of this Species.
UASM42886 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1933-10-01
UASM42887 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1933-01-09
UASM42888 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1933-10-03
UASM42889 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1924-05-04
UASM42890 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1938-10-09
UASM42891 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1946-09-01
UASM42892 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1939-10-31
UASM42893 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1933-10-31
UASM42894 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1924-05-19
UASM42895 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1922-02-01
UASM42913 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1924-06-04
BIRD30934 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lacombe
Collected ByGlass, S.
Date Collected2005-09-23
BIRD30935 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lacombe
Collected ByGlass, S.
Date Collected2005-09-23
BIRD30936 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lacombe
Collected ByGlass, S.
Date Collected2005-09-23
BIRD30937 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lacombe
Collected ByGlass, S.
Date Collected2005-09-23
BIRD30938 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lacombe
Collected ByGlass, S.
Date Collected2005-09-23
BIRD30939 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lacombe
Collected ByGlass, S.
Date Collected2005-09-23
BIRD30940 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lacombe
Collected ByGlass, S.
Date Collected2005-09-23
BIRD35615 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2012-07-10
BIRD35616 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2012-07-10
BIRD35617 - Plodia interpunctella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2012-07-10