Angoumois Grain Moths – Sitotroga cerealella – These small, winged moths lay eggs on or near grain. Upon emergence, the small, white larva bore into the kernels of grain and feed on the inside. When mature, the larva emerge from the grain as “pupa”, leaving behind a small telltale hole, marking the exit point from the grain. These insects can be found residentally emerging from decorative ears of corn or boxes of seed. Bird seed and cereal baits for rodents are also common infestation sources. They can be found in cornmeal, flour, nuts and seeds, and sometimes in dry, minced onions.
Mediterranean Flour Moth – Anagasta kuehniella – The Mediterranean flour moth is a common problem in both homes and food processing plants. They infest things such as flour, nuts, chocolate, beans, and dried fruits. The adults have a wing expanse of about 1 inch. The wings are pale grey and may have wavy black lines across them. Females lay their eggs in flour or other milled products. The larvae hatch and feed on the flour, then are commonly found outside the box or bag they came from, seeking a dark crack to pupate in.
Indianmeal Moth – Plodia interpunctella – The most commonly found stored-product pest in the home, these moths have tan or reddish brown wings that measure about 3/4 inch across. The larva feed on almost any grain or grain-based product, seeds, powdered milk, dog food, crackers, candy, nuts, chocolate, dried fruits, and virtually all other dried foodstuffs around the home. Both the adults and the silken cocoons spun by the maturing larvae are commonly mistaken for clothes moths, but they do not feed on fabrics.
