Gene editing of the ABC Transporter/White locus using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis in the Indian Meal Moth

•A white gene ortholog was detected in the Indian Meal Moth, Plodia interpunctella.•Mutation of Piwhite results in a white eye phenotype which is not embryonic lethal.•CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing of Piwhite produced somatic mosaic white eye phenotypes.•CRISPR/Cas9 of Piwhite produced germline mutations non-complementary to c.737delC.•NMD mRNA decay lowered levels of Piwhite transcript in c.737delC and Piw-242 lines.