Angoumois Grain Moth (Sitotroga cerealella)
Angoumois Grain Moth Description
Angoumois Grain Moth Adults: Moths are 13 mm (0.5 inches) long with light grey to buff colored wings. There may be tiny spots on the forewing. The hind wings have a unique curved edge with pointed tips. Similar species like clothes moths have spear shaped hind wings.
Angoumois Grain Moth Eggs: Oval, ivory in color and 2 mm (0.08 inches) long. Eggs are laid in kernels of corn with 1 egg per kernel.
Angoumois Grain Moth Larvae: Creamy white, brown head capsule, and legless. The larvae are internal feeders of corn.
Angoumois Grain Moth Pupae: Pupation occurs inside the corn kernel. Light brownish colored pupa skins may be visible on emergence.
Angoumois Grain Moth Life Cycle
Adult moths live for 10-30 days whereupon mated females can lay 40-300 eggs in kernels. Eggs hatch in 3-5 days in warmer months and up to 7 days in cooler months.
Larvae feed and become mature in 25 days or as long as 64 days depending on food quality, temperature and humidity. Larvae will pupate inside the kernels. Adults will emerge from the pupae in 10 to 14 days depending on temperature. Several generations can occur per year.
Damage & Detection for Angoumois Grain Moth
This moth prefers to feed on field corn still on the cob. Rice and shelled corn in bins may also be attacked on the top layers. Exit holes are distinctive; they have a clear flap of ‘skin’ hanging on the edge of the hole. These moths are easily monitored using the sex pheromone in hanging traps.
Fun Facts about Angoumois Grain Moth
Other common names for the Angoumois Grain Moth include French grain moth, grain moth, rice grain moth, and small grain worm.
Like many food moth species, adult Angoumois grain moths do not eat. Their larvae are vivacious feeders and damage dried goods.
Unlike other food moth species, the Angoumois grain moth is an internal feeder. The larvae can burrow into a grain kernel where they feed and remain until they emerge as an adult.
The exit holes on grain kernels are like those produced by grain weevils.
Larvae do not bind grain with silks as many other food moths do.
Fumigation is recommended to eliminate this pest because of their internal feeding behavior.
Angoumois grain moths initiate flight at temperatures above 12.5°C (55°F).
The pheromone that attracts the Angoumois grain moth also attracts the pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella).
Monitoring Tips & Tricks for Angoumois Grain Moth
Angoumois Grain Moth Monitoring Guidelines
Lure
BULLET LURE® - Contains sex pheromone to attract male moths.
Lure Storage
Keep unopened lures in cool storage less than 16°C (60°F) or place in freezer for extended storage. Lures can remain frozen for up to 24 months or at room temperature for 12 months to retain their full effectiveness for use afterwards.
Trap Designs Used with Lure
NOSURVIVOR® traps are diamond shaped sticky traps that can be hung from many locations. This design is the preferred trap for this moth that flies well.
THE SIGHTTRAP™ is the size of a NoSurvivor hanging trap and provides daily images and catch data to help with early detection. The data is available on the web and app-based software, ForesightIPM.
Angoumois Grain Moth Pheromone Traps
We do not want to confuse our customers by adding rarely purchased products to the online store. Especially when an insect, like the Angoumois Grain Moth, is more of a specialty purchase. To purchase Insects Limited’s Angoumois Grain Moth attractant please contact us at (317) 896-9300.
Pheromone Trap Placement & Use
Trap Placement Techniques
Pheromone traps can be placed out year-round but are especially recommended during warmer months when temperatures exceed 12.5°C (55°F). Place hanging pheromone traps 1.5 m (5 feet) above ground or at eye level to allow for easy inspection when monitoring traps. In areas such as a pantry or home, place one or two pheromone traps per room.
In commercial areas such as warehouses or retail stores, place pheromone traps 7.5–15 m (25–50 feet) apart to determine the presence or absence of Angoumois grain moth. Increase pheromone trap density to 4.5–7.5 m (15–25 feet) apart to help locate the source of Angoumois grain moth.
Keep pheromone traps 7.5 m (25 feet) away from exterior doors. Angoumois grain moth pheromone traps are best utilized in areas that store dried goods such as food, grains, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, animal feed, or pet food.
Trap and Lure Maintenance
Replace traps when glue is filled with insects or becomes dusty. Replace pheromone lures every 90 days. Replace all pheromone lures in a location at the same time. Do not cut the cap off the bullet lure. Do not stagger lure replacement over several weeks. Record date and number of catches to identify trending information.
What to know about Angoumois Grain Moth
Angoumois Grain Moth FAQs
What do Angoumois grain moths look like?
Adult Angoumois grain moths, Sitotroga cerealella, are 13 mm (0.5 inches) long with light grey to buff colored wings. There may be tiny spots on their forewings.
The hind wings have a unique curved edge with pointed tips. Similar looking species, like webbing clothes moths, have spear shaped hind wings. Their eggs are oval in shape and ivory in color and 2 mm (0.08 inches) long.
Eggs are laid in kernels of corn with 1 egg per kernel. Larvae are creamy white with a brown head capsule, and legless. The larvae are internal feeders of corn. Pupation occurs inside the corn kernel. Light brownish colored pupa skins may be visible on emergence.
How did Angoumois grain moths get their name?
Angoumois grain moths have a global distribution but they were first identified in 1789 by G. A. Oliver in the Angoumois provice (pre-revolution) of France. This province is now named Charente département. The species’ origin is not from France though.
What do Angoumois grain moths eat?
Angoumois grain moths are internal feeders of whole grains and seeds. This means that they eat the inside of the grain kernels from the inside out, often leaving an empty husk behind.
The female will lay an egg on a piece of grain and the newly hatched larva will bore its way into the kernel. The larva starts to feed on the inside of the kernel until the entire inside of the grain kernel has been consumed.
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