Class: Insects
Size: 10 to 14mm
Weight: Variable
Age: Variable
Appearance: Bronze to silver
Food: Carbohydrates
Distribution: Worldwide
Threatened with extinction: No

• Food moths or kitchen moths are different species from the family of the moths (Pyralidae), which are considered to be storage pests.
• Pyralid Moths either fly into the house through open windows or are brought in with food when shopping. The moths are not choosy, their food sources are cereals, rice, corn, oatmeal, flour products, bakery products, pasta, cereals, chocolate, nuts (especially ground), beans, spices and biscuits, etc..
• Packaging made of paper or cardboard is no obstacle and is easily penetrated by the moths. Therefore, sealed jars or plastic boxes are highly recommended as storage containers.
• The names of many moths are misleading: dried fruit and flour moths are unfortunately not limited to dried fruit and flour, but also to other foodstuffs, which become contaminated with eggs, net-like webs or larvae. The larvae are recognisable as yellowish, one centimetre long thread-like maggots with a black spot on their head. They contaminate food with faeces that may contain fungi and mites. The cocoon of the moth looks like an envelope made of thin and transparent paper.