Meal moth
Common NameMeal moth
Scientific NamePyralis farinalis
FamilyPyralidae
SubfamilyPyralinae
Wingspan (mm)25
Primary Colorsbrown, golden-yellow, white
HabitatHuman dwellings, food storage areas, mills, barns, warehouses, sometimes natural settings near food sources
Geographic RangeCosmopolitan (nearly worldwide)
Host Plantsstored grains, flour, cereals, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, animal feed, hay, straw
Flight PeriodMay to October (outdoors in temperate regions), year-round (indoors)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae are whitish caterpillars with brown heads, known as 'mealworms', which feed on a wide range of stored food products, often spinning silken tubes. Pupation occurs in a silken cocoon.
Identification TipsKey features include the striking pattern of two broad dark brown bands separated by a golden-yellow central band on the forewings, and the prominent white wavy line near the termen, along with a white fringe.
Description
This moth features forewings with broad, dark reddish-brown bands at the base and termen, separated by a wide, wavy golden-yellow or ochreous central band, and a prominent white subterminal line with a white fringe.
