Size
1/4”-1/2”
Color
Gray with black
Description
The adult Mediterranean Flour Moth is gray with sloping black lines on its wings that can be rubbed off. Its flight is more meandering than straight. The adults are drawn to light and are most active in the early hours of the day.
The female Mediterranean Flour Moth lays her eggs in or near a flour or grain food source for the hatching larvae. Larvae feed on the grain during their initial stages of development, casting webs to create tunnels as they consume the food. Even if the larvae are not easily visible, the spun tunnels usually are. When it is time for the pupa stage, they crawl to a location nearby and spin their cocoons, where they stay until emerging as adults.
Control Advice
Inspect dry food goods carefully before purchasing or eating and store in airtight containers. Discard infested food and inspect other dry food goods in the area. Clean food storage area thoroughly.
Active Seasons
The Mediterranean Flour Moth is most active in summer.
Photo courtesy of Rasbak (Own work) GFDL