Mediterranean Flour Moth

Mediterranean Flour Moth
Mediterranean Flour Moth
Conservation status
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pyralidae
Tribe: Phycitini
Genus: Ephestia
Species: E. kuehniella
Binomial name
Ephestia kuehniella
Zeller, 1879
Synonyms

Numerous, see text

The Mediterranean Flour Moth, Indian Flour Moth or Mill Moth (Ephestia kuehniella) is a moth of the family Pyralidae. It is a common pest of dry plant produce – especially cereals – and found around the world.

Another common name, less unambiguous, is "flour moth", which (like "pantry moth", occasionally used for the present species) may also refer to the related Indianmeal Moth (Plodia interpunctella). In addition, the species has been discussed under a number of now-invalid junior synonyms, its specific name has been frequently mis-spelled, and it was once placed in a distinct genus Anagasta (now considered a subgenus of Ephestia):

  • Anagasta huchinella (lapsus)
  • Anagasta kuchinella (lapsus)
  • Anagasta kühmiella (lapsus)
  • Anagasta kuehniela (lapsus)
  • Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller, 1879)
  • Anagasta kurhirela (lapsus)
  • Anagasta lunella (lapsus)
  • Ephestia fuscofasciella Ragonot, 1887
  • Ephestia gitonella Druce, 1896
  • Homoeosoma alba Roesler, [1965]
  • Homoeosoma ischnomorpha Meyrick, 1931
  • Homoeosoma nigra Roesler, [1965]

Description and ecology

The adult moth is pale gray and up to 12 mm long, with dark bands. The wingspan is between 16-20 mm. The larva (caterpillar) is off-white with a darker head and about 12 mm long when mature.

The caterpillars are often found feeding on flour, cereals, baked goods and other dry grain products in food storage areas. Less often, dried fruits or mushrooms and even peat or rotting wood may be eaten. The species may reach extreme population densities in suitable locations (such as gristmills) if left uncontrolled, and the silken webs produced by the caterpillars may even interfere with normal operations of machinery such as flour sieves.[1]

Pest control

As with most grain- or flour-feeding pests the most effective method of control is to adopt basic good sanitary practices.

One way to keep the moths away is to place bay leaves in the food containers along with the original grains.[citation needed] Though products already affected should still be thrown away.

It is essential to ensure that food storage areas are kept clean and tidy and that no residues are left over. In addition it is imperative that food – especially grain, sugar and flour – is kept in plastic or metal storage containers with tight fitting lids. This will stop flour moths and other pests from getting at their contents. Note however that tiny gaps, even at the rim of Tupperware lids, will allow oviposition.

Gallery

  • Female, dorsal view

  • Female, ventral view

  • Male, dorsal view

  • Male, ventral view

  • Larva

Footnotes

  1. ^ Grabe (1942)

References

  • Grabe, Albert (1942): Eigenartige Geschmacksrichtungen bei Kleinschmetterlingsraupen ["Strange tastes among micromoth caterpillars"]. Zeitschrift des Wiener Entomologen-Vereins 27: 105-109 [in German]. PDF fulltext
  • Savela, Markku (2009): Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and some other life forms – Ephestia elutella. Version of 2009-APR-25. Retrieved 2010-APR-10.

External links

Media related to Ephestia kuehniella at Wikimedia Commons


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mediterranean flour moth — n. a small, gray moth (Ephestia kuehniella) whose larvae are serious pests in flour …   English World dictionary

  • Mediterranean flour moth — noun small moth whose larvae damage stored grain and flour • Syn: ↑Anagasta kuehniella • Hypernyms: ↑pyralid, ↑pyralid moth • Member Holonyms: ↑Anagasta, ↑genus Anagasta * * * …   Useful english dictionary

  • Mediterranean flour moth — Med′iterra′nean flour′ moth n. ent a small cosmopolitan moth, Anagasta kuehniella, whose larvae damage stored foodstuffs • Etymology: 1890–95 …   From formal English to slang

  • Mediterranean flour moth — a small cosmopolitan moth, Anagasta kuehniella, whose larvae damage stored foodstuffs, as grain and flour. [1890 95, Amer.] * * * …   Universalium

  • Mediterranean flour moth — noun Date: 1895 a small largely gray and black nearly cosmopolitan pyralid moth (Anagasta kuehniella) whose larva destroys processed grain products …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Mediterranean flour moth — noun A type of moth that feeds on grain, taxonomic name Ephestia kuehniella …   Wiktionary

  • flour moth — noun : mediterranean flour moth * * * flour moth noun A moth whose larvae feed on flour and grain • • • Main Entry: ↑flour * * * flour moth, a small, grayish black moth whose larvae feed on flour, found in many parts of the world, especially in… …   Useful english dictionary

  • flour moth — ▪ insect also called  Mediterranean Flour Moth        species of moth in the subfamily Phycitinae (family Pyralidae, order Lepidoptera) that is a cosmopolitan pest of cereal products and other stored foods. Sometimes also called Anagasta… …   Universalium

  • flour worm — noun : the larva of any of various insects that breed in flour or meal; especially : the larva of the Mediterranean flour moth …   Useful english dictionary

  • Mediterraneanflour moth — Mediterranean flour moth n. A small, pale gray moth (Anagasta kuehniella) now found worldwide, the larvae of which destroy flour and other stored grain products. * * * …   Universalium

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