Meal moth
Pyralis farinalis
When at rest, the meal moth curves the tip of its abdomen upwards at a sharp angle, a distinctive posture that makes it look like a tiny piece of debris.
- Scientific name
- Pyralis farinalis
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Pyralidae › Pyralis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- urban
- Habitat
- Granaries, flour mills, pantries, barns, and other human structures containing stored grains.
- Diet
- Larvae feed on flour, grain, bran, meal, and dried fruit; adults do not feed.
- Range
- North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia
- Size
- Wingspan of 18 to 30 mm.
- Lifespan
- 1 to 2 weeks as adults; up to 8 weeks for the entire life cycle.
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Pest control, insecticides, and modern airtight food storage technologies.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to humans. They do not bite, sting, or carry diseases. If encountered in your home, they indicate a potential pantry infestation. Inspect dry goods, discard contaminated food, and store grains in airtight containers.
Pyralis farinalis , the meal moth , is a cosmopolitan moth of the family Pyralidae. Its larvae (caterpillars) are pests of certain stored foods, namely milled plant products.
Photo: Christian Kahle, CC0, via iNaturalist
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