description Meal moth Overview
The meal moth (Pyralis farinalis) is a pyralid moth whose larvae feed on stored, dry plant material. It has a cosmopolitan distribution and occurs in places such as mills, warehouses, and household pantries, where it can infest flour, grain, and other milled foods. Adults have brown forewings with contrasting pale bands, while the larvae are the stage responsible for damage to stored products.
help Meal moth FAQ
What is a meal moth?
The meal moth is the species Pyralis farinalis, a small pyralid moth whose larvae feed on stored dry foods. It can appear in flour, grain, and other milled plant products.
Where are meal moths commonly found?
They occur in places such as household pantries, mills, and warehouses. Their presence is linked to stored food rather than outdoor garden plants.
What do meal moth larvae eat?
The larvae feed on dry plant material, including flour, grain, and similar pantry goods. Infested food may show webbing, clumping, or small larvae and cocoons.
How can meal moths get into a pantry?
They may arrive in contaminated packages of flour, cereal, grain, or other dry goods. A pantry inspection should include unopened packages because an infestation can spread from one stored product to another.
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