Indian meal moth larva » Manaaki Whenua

Indian meal moth [Plodia interpunctella] larva. Image: Phil Bendle Collection, CitSciHub.nz

Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella larva. Image: Phil Bendle Collection, CitSciHub.nz

Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pyralidae

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Size range

Larva about 10–15 mm long

Distribution

Widespread overseas and New Zealand

Life history

Larvae and webbing are often found in foods that have been stored for long periods
One of several species of moth larvae which infest stored food products especially cereals, nuts, dried fruit
Adults are small to medium sized moths, wingspan 15–22 mm

Indian meal moth [Plodia interpunctella] larva. Image: Phil Bendle Collection, CitSciHub.nz Image — Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella larva. Image: Phil Bendle Collection, CitSciHub.nz

Indian meal moth [Plodia interpunctella] larva. Image: Pudding4brains / PD Image — Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella larva. Image: Pudding4brains / PD

Indian meal moth [Plodia interpunctella] are pests in stored grains. Image: scienceimage, CSIRO / CC-BY-3.0 Image — Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella are pests in stored grains. Image: scienceimage, CSIRO / CC-BY-3.0

Indian meal moth [Plodia interpunctella]. Image: Gilles San Martin / CC-BY-SA Image — Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella. Image: Gilles San Martin / CC-BY-SA

Indian meal moth [Plodia interpunctella]. Images: Gilles San Martin / CC-BY-SA Image — Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella. Images: Gilles San Martin / CC-BY-SA

Indian meal moth [Plodia interpunctella]. Image: Robert Briggs / CC-BY-SA Image — Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella. Image: Robert Briggs / CC-BY-SA

Indian meal moth / Te pūrēhua kai māngaro o Īnia Image — Indian meal moth / Te pūrēhua kai māngaro o Īnia