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INDIAN MEAL MOTH, Plodia interpunctella



With a 10-15mm wingspan and pale yellow/bronze colour in appearance the Indian meal moth causes significant problems with stored foods, especially dried fruits and nuts. Most problems are caused by the larvae which feed on cereals, grains, dried fruits, nuts and dried insect remains, spinning a silken web amongst foodstuff.

Adults normally emerge June to early September but in heated warehouses there maybe overlapping broods and continue throughout the autumn. Substantial numbers of Indian meal moth can reduce the value of grain or render it unfit for processing or feeding

Advice for Bed Bugs:

When dealing with moths an IPM programme should be practiced for effective control. Comprehensive monitoring is important, pheromone traps are ideal.

Good hygiene is of particular importance and gaps should be left between pallets when storing for visual inspection and ventilation - this will also allow for insecticide treatments.