Plodia interpunctella

Definition

A species of pyralid moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae) and a cosmopolitan pest of stored food products. Larvae feed on dried plant material including grains, nuts, dried fruits, and processed foods, producing silk webbing that contaminates commodities. The specific epithet derives from its historical association with 'Indian meal' (maize), though the species is native to the Americas and now occurs worldwide in tropics and subtropics.

Etymology

From Latin plodia (unknown derivation, genus name established by Guenée) + interpunctella (diminutive referring to spotted or dotted wing pattern, from inter- 'between' + punctum 'point, spot' + diminutive suffix -ella)

Example

In pest management, Plodia interpunctella is monitored using pheromone traps baited with (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate, the female sex pheromone; infestations are controlled by temperature manipulation, diatomaceous earth, or biological control with the granulovirus Plodia interpunctella granulovirus (PigV).

Synonyms

• Indianmeal moth
• Indian meal moth
• pantry moth
• flour moth
• grain moth

Related Terms

• Pyralidae
• Phycitinae
• stored-product entomology
• pheromone trap
• Plodia interpunctella granulovirus
• Trogoderma
• Cadra cautella
• Sitotroga cerealella

Usage Notes

The common name 'Indianmeal moth' is often hyphenated inconsistently; 'Indian meal moth' and 'Indian-meal moth' appear in literature. Frequently confused with Cadra cautella (almond moth) and Ephestia figulilella (raisin moth), which occupy similar niches. Not to be confused with Ephestia kuehniella (Mediterranean flour moth), another pyralid pest of stored grain. The species is the type species of genus Plodia.