Indian Meal Moth SPI Moth

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Appearance

• Adults are 8–10 mm in length with 16–20 mm wingspans
• The distal two thirds of their forewings are generally reddish brown in colour with a copper lustre. They can also be bronze or dark grey.
• The eggs of the Indian-meal moth are white, ovate, and small and often hard to see with the naked eye.

Habitat

• They are a common grain-feeding pest found around the world, consuming cereals, fruits, and similar products
• The larvae of this species have the ability to bite through plastic and cardboard so even sealed containers may be infested.
• It is often found at food storage facilities worldwide, specifically in grain bins or grain storage buildings.
• Indian-meal moths feed on plants, grains, and other human food products.

Life cycle

• Usually the life cycle of an Indian-meal moth colony starts in a location where grain is present.
• The eggs of the moth are  greyish white and have a length around 0.4mm.
• Larvae begin to hatch in approximately two to fourteen days.
• The adults emerge in four to ten days. They then mate and the cycle begins again.