‫هەولێر‬-‫زانکۆی سەالحەددین‬

Salahaddin University-Erbil

Biology and control of Indian Meal Moth plodia

interpunctella (Hübner) ; (Lepidoptera ; Pyralidaeplodiae )

Research project
Submitted to the department of ( Biology ) in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree of B.A in ( Biology Science )

By:
Lanja Namiq rasul

Supervised by : Hana Hashim Mohamm

Jun-2020
Introduction
The world food production is adversely affected by insect pests during crop growth,
post-harvest and storage. Insects associated with raw grain and processed food cause
quantitative and qualitative losses which are estimated at 5–10% in the temperate zone
and 20–30% or more in the tropical and subtropical regions (Phillips and Throne, 2010).
Losses caused by insects include the direct consumption of kernels and the accumulation
of remains such as chemical excretions or silk, exuviae, body fragments and dead insects
(Shankar and Abrol, 2012).
Plodia interpunctella (HUBNER 1813) is amicrolepidoptera of the family Pyralidae,
subfamily Phycitinae, commonly known as the Indian meal moth (TRIPLEHORN;
JOHNSON 2011). P. interpunctella is a cosmopolitan species and an important pest
recorded from many diverse stored products (NA; RYOO 2000). According to Nansen e
Phillipis (2003), is a very important economic pest of dried fruits and oil-rich foodstuffs,
such as cereals, meals and chocolate bars. Mbata e Osuji (1983) recorded its occurrence
in peanuts and Johnson et al. (1992) in almonds, pistachio and nuts. Platt et al. (1998)
observed a heavy infestation in pet foods in supermarkets. Na e Ryoo (2000) observed
the Indian meal moth in dehydrated vegetables, chives, onions, garlic, carrots, cabbage
and pepper. The wide variety of hosts attacked by P. interpunctella characterizes it as a
polyphagous species. This moth species has very strong economic impact, because it
uses a wide range of products in it’s diet (LECATO, 1976) . Lifecycle of Indian meal
moth could be completed in 30-days under optimal conditions, (REES, 2004).
Development depends from the temperature (BELL, 1975). Plodia interpunctella has
been classified as a freeze in tolerant organisms and one of the most cold-tolerant
species among stored-product insects (Fields 1992). The mean developmental time and
adult progeny production of the Indian meal moth are largely influenced by the type of
diet on which the moth feeds during the larval stage (LeCato, 1976; Cline and Highland,
1985).

Biological observation on Plodia interpunctella

Eggs
Eggs of the Indianmeal moth appear grayish-white and range in length from 0.3 to 0.5
mm. Eggs are oviposited singly or in clusters, and are generally laid directly on the
larval food source(Fasulo and Knox, 2007). The surface, as seen through the binocular
microscope, shows a granular texture which diffracts light in many colors. The wall
itself is not wholly opaque, as the developing larva may often be seen inside.(J. C.
HAMLIN)The highest number of eggs laid was observed on moths reared on maize
flour. Incubation of eggs examined on the diets ranges from 3-4 days {Onaolapo, 2017
#3) The eggs hatch in around three days at 30°C (BAXTER , 2008) . The eggs hatch in
seven to eight days at 20° C and three to four days at 30° C. FASULO and KNOX,
2008).

Larva
Upon hatching, the larvae begin to disperse, and within a few hours can establish
themselves in a food source. The larvae can complete their development in six to eight
weeks at temperatures ranging from 18 to 35°C. (FASULO and KNOX, 2008). The
number of larval instars varies from five to seven (depending on the food source and the
temperature)(Arthur FH, Highland HA, Mullen MA. 1991) . The larvae or "caterpillars"
are about 2/3 inch (12.5mm) when mature. Brown-headed larvae are dirty white,
sometimes tinged pink or green. Larvae are quite active and molt four to seven times
before pupating ( Keith L. Smith) There are five or seven larval instars stages. Larvae of
Indian meal moth cause the most of food damages by secreting silky webs which
permeate all substrait and contains larval feces and exuviae (ALMAŠI, 1984; FASULO
and KNOX, 2008). There are five to seven larval instars. Their color is usually off-
white, but has been observed to be pink, brown or almost greenish, depending on the
food source. The mature larvae are about 1/2 inch in length. They have five pairs of well
developed prolegs that help them move considerable distances to pupate. (FASULO and
KNOX, 2008).
Pupae

The pupae measure 6 to 11 mm and are pale brown in color. Pupation takes place away
from the infested material. In fact, lThe larvae pupate either in a silken cocoon or
unprotected. ate instar larvae can travel such distances that they are often mistaken for
clothing pests. Within pantries small larvae often climb to other shelves before pupating.
This misleads people trying to find the source of the infestation The pupal stage can last
from 15 to 20 days at 20°C and seven to eight days at 30°C.( Arthur F. 1989)

Adult
Adults are about 1/2 inch long with a wing span of about 5/8 inch (16 to 20 mm). The
forewings of this moth are reddish brown with a copper sheen on the outer two thirds
and gray on the inner third. At rest the wings are held roof-like over the body. The head
and thorax of the moth appears gray and the posterior brown, with a coppery sheen.
FASULO and KNOX, 2008).
Management of plodia interpunctella
Prevention is the best control for pantry pests. When purchasing bulk grains, dried fruit,
flour, etc., inspect it carefully when loading it into bags for weighing. Inspect products
again when you get it home and put it into storage containers. Keep food in glass jars,
plastic containers, or metal canisters. Glass jars that pressure seal with rubber gaskets
are the best. Make sure they have tight-fitting lids. Many of the pantry pests are very
small and can crawl under loose-fitting lids. Do not store products in plastic bags, or
cardboard boxes as the insects can chew through them. Try to store foods in a cool dry
place. Most of the stored product pests multiply faster at higher humidity. Many
products can be kept in the freezer to prevent infestation, especially products that are not
used right away. Nuts, flours, meals, and dried chili peppers can all be frozen. Infested
foods should be thrown away and the shelves cleaned thoroughly to eliminate food
material and insect eggs or larvae which might be in cracks or corners. Vacuum the
shelves and then wash the cupboards with warm soapy water. Do not spray any food
storage areas with insecticides. Clean up any food spills promptly ( Brower JH, Press
JW. 1990)

Freezing and Heating: If an infestation is detected, freezing the product for several
days has proven to be an effective control measure. Infested products should be kept in
temperatures of 0°F (-18°C) until the cold penerates all areas of the packaging. Four
days should kill the life stages of most stored product pests. Heat will also kill stored
product pests if temperatures of 130°F to 150°F (54°C to 66°C) are maintained for 24
hours in infested facilities. Small quantities of infested materials can be treated in their
original packaging or the loose material may be placed in a shallow pan. Then heat the
material for 150°F (66°C) for 20 minutes. However, one reference advises propping the
oven door open to keep it from getting too hot (VanRykeghem A 2004).

Chemical control: Numerous insecticides have been used to control Indian meal moth
populations, but effectiveness is limited. In a study evaluating the effectiveness of an
insect growth regulator, it was found that even after treatment with these chemicals,
Indian meal moths were in corn storage bins. In an additional study using the same
insect growth regulator, it was found that at rates of 5 and 10 ppm no control of fifth
instar larvae was accomplished (Smith EH, Whitman RC. 1992) Only at 20 to 30 ppm
was control of fifth instar larvae observed. Studies show that resistance increased with
increasing selective pressure

Biological control: Population suppression has been observed in the laboratory using
egg and larval parasites. Both the larval parasite, Bracon hebetor (Hymenoptera:
Braconidae) and the egg parasite, Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera:
Trichogrammatidae) have demonstrated moth population suppression. When the
parasites were used in combination, an 84.3 percent suppression was observed.
Trichogramma pretiosum acting alone offered a 37.3 percent suppression rate while
Bracon hebetor provided a 66.1 percent suppression rate stable ( McGaughey WH,
Tabashnik BE. 1994) Despite the low pest tolerance, biological control of P.
interpunctella by using hymenopteran parasitoids provides one possible alternative pest
management tactic. A variety of parasitoid species have been studied, including egg
parasitoids in the genus Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) as well as
the larval parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).
Trichogramma spp. Have been explored as potential natural enemies for a variety of
stored product moths in bulk peanut storage (Brower 1988), bulk wheat storage
(Scho¨ller et al. 1994, 1996), and bakeries (Prozell and Scho¨ller 1998, Steidle et al.
2001).

References
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