European grain moth
Scientific name
Nemapogon granella (L.)
Classification
Secondary pest; Grain feeder
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Tineidae
Acronym: NGR
Description
- Adult moths have a wingspan of 9 to 14 mm and a body length of 7 mm.
- Adult's head is covered with spiky scales that give the appearance of hair.
- Adult's forewing is white with a basal black bar and mottled with brownish patches.
- Larvae are white with a head capsule that ranges in color from pale yellow to dark brown and a thoracic plate that is yellowish to pale brown.
- Larvae reach a length of 7 to 10 mm at maturity.
Images
Similar species
- Large pale clothes moth (Tinea pallescentella)
- Case-making clothes moth (Tinea pellionella)
Commodities affected
- Affects rye, wheat, barley, oats, corn, soybeans, rice, nuts, seeds, dried fruit and mushrooms
- Prefers cereals with high moisture content
Signs of infestation
- Disagreeable odour, clumped grain
- Contamination with silk and frass (excrement)
Damage
- Damage is not distinct and is caused by larval feeding
- Larvae infest top 5 to 6 cm of the grain bulk
- Larvae feed first on germ and then on the endosperm
How to control
Geographic range
- Is found in North America, Argentina, Europe, Northern Asia, Australia
- Is more common in temperate regions
Where found
- Is found in granaries, warehouses, mills, elevators and occasionally wine cellars
Life history
- Females lay eggs singly in the food source, on dust, debris or bags.
- Larvae leave the food source and actively search for pupation sites.
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