Systematics and Etymology
This is – as far as is known – the only living species of the genus Plodia. It is closely related to the (doubtfully distinct) genera Cadra and Ephestia which include(s) other pest species (e.g. E. kuehniella which is also colloquially called "flour moth").
The species has been described under a number of junior synonyms, which may occasionally still be found in non-entomological sources:
- Ephestia glycinivora
- Ephestia glycinivorella
- Plodia castaneella
- Plodia glycinivora
- Plodia interpunctalis
- Plodia latercula
- Plodia zeae
- Tinea castaneella
- Tinea interpunctalis
- Tinea interpunctella
- Tinea zeae
- Unadilla latercula
The common name for this species was coined by Asa Fitch, an entomologist employed by the state of New York during the nineteenth century. In a report published in 1856, Fitch discussed the species, noting that the larvae infest stores of cornmeal, which was then called "Indian meal".
Read more about this topic: Indianmeal Moth
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