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Moths (Stored Product)
Latin Name: Phereoeca praecox
Common Name: Plaster Bagworm
Other Names: Wall bagworm
Pest Details
Origin:
This moth may be native to Latin America and is more common in southern California than anywhere else in the U.S.
Biology:
This moth is closely related to the Household Casebearer, which is discussed separately and which is a distinct species. It is often confused with the Casemaking Clothes moth because the larvae of both moths as well as the Household casebearer will create a small silk “case” for itself, camouflaged with debris from its local environment, and drag this case about as it wanders. Females deposit up to 200 eggs, cementing them to surfaces and on debris where larvae may find food. The larva immediately creates its silk case and it is a very active stage, wandering in search of food. While they are not well known it is likely they feed on detritus and bits of organic debris found within
Latin Name: Cadra figulilella
Common Name: Raisin Moth
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Likely this is native to tropical regions of the world but is found throughout the world at this time.
Biology:
The Raisin Moth is an occasional pest of stored food products, infesting most grain-based products as well as dried fruit and nuts. The life cycle is completed in less than 60 days, with multiple generations occurring each year indoors. It may be most common in the U.S. in California and Florida as ports of entry as well as in California’s huge fruit and nut industries. It is tropical in origin and survives best in warm climates. Females deposit up to 300 eggs on the material the larvae will feed on. The adult moths do not feed.
Identification:
The adult moth is small and has gray-brown forewings that may have a very indistinct darker band running across the middle from top to bottom. They are similar to the Mediterranean
Latin Name: Corcyra cephalonica
Common Name: Rice Moth
Latin Family Name: Pyralidae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Found throughout the world in a wide variety of plant based products. It is found most often in humid climates, and is a severe problem in cocoa or nut meats originating in tropical countries.
Biology:
The moths can be active year round in warm climates, and may have several generations each year. In cooler climates it may be reduced to a single generation each year. Infestations often occur due to food products shipped from tropical countries already infested with the insects, including rice products, giving it its common name.
Identification:
Adult moths are fairly nondescript, being small and medium dark gray with no specific markings to distinguish it. It has no mouthparts, and the veins on the wings tend to be noticeably darker than the ground color of the wings. The larvae are
Latin Name: Tineola bisselliella
Common Name: Webbing Clothes Moth
Latin Family Name: Tineidae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Some dispute exists over whether it originated in Africa or Europe, but it is now found throughout the world and is very common throughout North America.
Biology:
While notorious for the damage they can do to woolen fabrics and other fabrics of animal hair origin, the larva also will feed on fungus, skins, dead insects, and most other protein materials associated with animals. They have been known to feed on cotton fabrics if necessary, and may cause damage to synthetic fabrics which they cannot digest. Adults strongly avoid light and do not feed, and females rarely fly. The larvae create mats of silk webbing, often as a tube, and prefer to remain under the silk to feed. It also avoids light and feeds primarily in dark, hidden areas.
Identification:
The larvae
Latin Name: Endrosis sarcitrella
Common Name: Whiteshouldered House Moth
Latin Family Name: Oecophoridae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Possibly a native of Europe since it is more common there, but now found worldwide and throughout much of North America. It appears to be a more severe pest of stored products in some European countries than it is in the United States.
Biology:
This small moth is found worldwide wherever humans managed to carry it. The larvae feed on a surprisingly diverse number of food choices around structures, including debris in bird nests, dead insects, grain-based food products, animal fibers such as wool, animal droppings, dried fruit, and dry plant materials. The larva creates a small silk tube for itself as it feeds and moves about. The adult moths may come to lights at night. Females deposit up to 200 eggs onto foods for their larvae. Development from egg to adult can be complete