Infestation of a bird and two cats by larvae of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae)

The larvae of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), commonly known as the Indian meal moth, often cause enormous losses in stored food supplies. We present three clinical case reports of accidental infestation by P. interpanctella larvae in two domestic cats and one parakeet. A larva gained entry into the avian host and subsequently migrated to the brain. It was alive, covered w ith "silk-like" fibers and confirmed to be a fourth instar. Plodia interpun ctella larvae were excised with forceps from the subcutaneous tissues of th e ear and neck of two cats in a different household. Previous reports of in festation by P. interpunctella larvae in vertebrates are unknown.