Moth: Plodia interpunctella
Appearance: Adults have wingspread of 5/8 inch; wings are pale gray, with outer portion of forewing reddish-brown; larvae are about 1/2 inch long, with dirty white color.
Habits: Adults fly mainly at night.
Diet: Larvae feed on all kinds of grains, flours, and dried fruits.
Reproduction: Females lay between 200 to 400 eggs in spring; complete life cycle ranges from four to six weeks.
Other Information: Larvae and adults are often mistaken for clothes moths; adults live only one or two weeks; larvae spin white, silken cocoons where they pupate, and sometimes leave “webbing” behind.
Clothes Moth: Order Lepidoptera
Appearance: Larvae are shiny, white worms about 1/2 inch long; adults have narrow fringed wings, are yellowish-brown and also about 1/2 inch long.
Habits: Prefer darkness; can disappear quickly if disturbed.
Diet: Wool and other fabrics, fur; other protein-based materials.
Reproduction: Adult females lay up to 200 eggs; larvae reach maturity in 35 days to 2 – 1/2 years; adults live 15 – 30 days.