Indian Meal Moth Infestation of Farm-Stored Wheat in Kansas1

Abstract

When 66 bins of farmed-stored wheat in central and southcentral Kansas were inspected 4 times during the 1975–76 storage season, 79% were found to be infested by Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) during the summer and fall after harvest. Wooden bins had a higher incidence of infestation, became infested earlier, and had more severe infestations than steel bins. Most of the infested bins had histories of frequent or severe infestations. Heavy infestations occurred in 24% of the bins, primarily in the southeastern portion of the study area where the avg precipitation was higher and where the more severe infestations in prior years were reported.