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SIXTEENTH BIENNIAL REPORT 



THE INDIAN MEAL MOTH 



(Plodia interpunctella Huebu.) 



By A. L. Lovett, Entomologist, Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station 



Of a variety of serious pests of stored food products, cereals, evaporated fruits 

 and vegetables, walnuts and confeetions in tlie Nortliwest, the Indian meal moth 

 is by far the most generally destructive. • 



FIG. 1 THE INDIAN MEAL MOTH (PLODIA INTERPUNCTELLA) 

 a. Eggs on walnut ; b. Egg much enlarged ; c. Larva ; d. Adult moth ; e. Pupa ; 

 f. interior of infected walnut showing pupal case ; g. Larva on prune ; h. Saw-toothed 

 graln beetle, a stored product pest. (After "Wilson.) 



As a serious pest of mills, warehouses, granaries and of cereal food products 

 in the home, it has long been recognized. A particularly serious aspect of its 

 destructiveness in Oregon, however, comes with its wholesale Injury to dried 

 prunes, walnuts and evaporated fruits and vegetables generally. Confectionaries 

 likewise experience serious losses from the attack of this pest on chocolate 

 candies and dipped nuts. 



