Stored-product moths: various species

Classification

Secondary pests, except for Angoumois grain moth, which is a primary pest. Grain feeders and scavengers, depending on species.

Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Oecophoridae, Pyralidae, Tineidae
Acronym: various, depending on species

Description

• Larvae are generally whitish in colour with a dark head capsule.
• Adults have scales that look like fur.

Similar species

• Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella)
• White-shouldered house moth (Endrosis sarcitrella)
• Brown house moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella)
• Almond moth (Cadra cautella)
• Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella)
• Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella)
• Meal moth (Pyralis farinalis)
• European grain moth (Nemapogon granella)
• Clothes moths (Tinea species)

Commodities affected

• A variety of commodities; not all species attack all commodities.
• Stored grain, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, dried foods, dried fruit, fungi, nuts, animal and plant products, carpet, wool articles, fur, skin, feathers.

Signs of infestation

• In many cases, abundant amounts of insect frass are produced.
• Many species produce webbing that further contaminates the commodity.

Damage

• Damage is indistinct.
• Damage caused by direct feeding on the commodity in question is common.
• Commodity is contaminated by feeding, presence of adults, larvae, frass and webbing.

How to control

• Control grain insect pests

Geographic range

• Most moth species that attack stored grain are cosmopolitan in distribution, but many do better in temperate climates

Where found

• Location varies depending on species.
• Moths are often found in undisturbed areas: up high, on bin ceilings, ridges, pipes.

Life history

• Life histories vary by species.
• Generally, adults do not feed. Larvae cause damage directly, though moths may contribute to contamination of grain products.
• Females lay eggs randomly amongst foodstuff.
• Adults are nectar feeders or liquid feeders and do not consume solid materials.