Stored grain moth
Common NameStored grain moth
Scientific NameSitotroga cerealella
FamilyGelechiidae
SubfamilyPexicopiinae
Wingspan (mm)14
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, cream
HabitatStored grain facilities, granaries, pantries, agricultural fields
Geographic RangeCosmopolitan (worldwide)
Host Plantscorn, wheat, rice, barley, oats, sorghum
Flight PeriodYear-round in storage facilities; multiple generations in warmer climates
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on or near grain kernels; larvae bore into and feed within individual kernels, completing their development and pupating inside; adults emerge to mate and lay more eggs.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size (10-18mm wingspan), narrow pointed wings with a mottled brown/grey pattern, and its characteristic presence in and around stored grain products.
Description
A small, slender moth with narrow, pointed wings that display a mottled pattern of brown, grey, and cream, often with a slightly darker, indistinct patch near the wing tip.
