Moths

Moths can be found in a variety of stored products, including foodstuffs and textiles. It is the larvae that cause such considerable damage to stored goods by feeding or contamination with 'webbing' and 'frass'. The adults do not normally cause damage. Where possible store food in sealed glass containers. Control is best achieved through good hygiene, pheremone traps, sprays and dusts.

Moths: Description & Life Cycle

There are six species of moth that can damage to stored food products in Britain. The main ones are: Flour or Meal Moth; Mediterranean Flour Moth and the Indian Meal Moth.

All these moths share similar characteristics.

Description:

all have two pairs of well developed membranous wings
rather delicate looking moths
wingspan varies between species from about 20-40mm
usually brownish in colour
and suctorial mouthparts
well developed heads
generally whitish in colour
most wriggle vigorously when disturbed

Life cycle:

all lay eggs, either within the foodstuffs of stuck into cracks and crevices in the immediate vicinity
eggs hatch into larvae that cause considerable damage to the food through contamination
larvae pupate and then emerge as adults
adults feed (if atall) on liquid food and water