Orange-spotted Pyrausta Moth – Pyrausta orphisalis

Orange-spotted Pyrausta Moth – Pyrausta orphisalis
Family: Pyralidae
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Live adult moth photographed at Winfield, DuPage County Illinois. Size: 10mm

Orange-spotted Pyrausta Moth

Family Pyralidae: Pyralid snout moths
There are, worldwide, five subfamilies and at least 6,150 species. North America has approximately 565 species in five subfamilies. The Pyralids are agricultural pests; some are leaf tiers or leaf rollers; the majority are borers in stems, seeds, buds, or flowers. Some are wood borers in the cambium layer, others feed on combs in bee hives or on dried plant materials. Many economically important species: Indian meal moth, Clover hay-worm, Zimmerman pine moth, Sunflower head moth, etc.

Orange-spotted Pyrausta Moth

One important Pyralid, the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), is a very common household pest, feeding principally on stored food products. It has been called the most important pest of stored products that is commonly found in the home or in grocery stores in the United States. The larvae are general feeders, as they can be found in grain products, seeds, dried fruit, dog food, and spices.
Order Lepidoptera: Moths. Unlike the butterflies, moths are usually nocturnal. Many moths and their caterpillars are major agricultural pests in large parts of the world. Moths in the family Tineidae are commonly regarded as pests because their larvae eat fabrics, clothes and blankets made from natural fibers such as wool or silk. Moths in the genus Farinalis feed on stored grain, flour, corn meal and other milled grain products.
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