(Plodia interpunctella)
Biology:
The dried fruit moth, which belongs to the moth family Pyralidae, has become the most common moth in industry, commerce and homes. The moths have a wingspan of 15-20 mm. The part of the forewing close to the body is yellow-grey, the tip of the wing is red-brown to copper-red. In contrast to the narrow hind wings of true moths (Fam. Tineidae) such as the clothes moth, the hind wings are broad. A female lays 200 to 400 eggs. The larvae grow up to 16 mm in size and vary in color from whitish to greenish or reddish depending on their food.
Damage:
Contrary to its German name, the dried fruit moth infests all foods, hence the term “food moth”. They can be found on dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, cereals, muesli mixes, spices, etc. On cereals, the larvae eat out the germination system of the grains, while pitting is found on foodstuffs. The food is heavily contaminated by spinning activity and excrement crumbs. The adult caterpillars go through a migratory phase in search of a place to pupate. They also gnaw and damage materials that are not suitable for feeding (e.g. fabrics, book covers, etc.).
