INSECT OF THE WEEK

Common Name: Angoumois grain moth

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Gelechiidae

Pest Status: This moth is a major pest of stored grain, occasionally a pantry pest.

Appearance: Adult moths are a beige, yellow-brown color and about 1⁄3-inch in length. The wings have rear fringes with the front wing a slightly lighter color than the hind wing.

Life Cycle: Female adults deposit approximately 40 white eggs on grain kernels (barley, rye, corn, oats and rice). When the larvae emerge, they eat into the grain and feed on the germ of the seed.

Where to Collect: Angoumois grain moths can be found in infested grain bins and sometimes in the pantry or kitchen areas of homes where stored grains are kept. The adults are most often collected as they fly and land on nearby walls.