Insect of the Month: Almond Moth (Ephestia cautella)

Almond moth damage occurs during the larval phase. Granular frass the size of ground pepper can be found in food materials such as nuts, dried fruits, cereals and processed foods containing nuts or seeds and made from wheat, rice, or corn.

What do almond moths look like?

Almond Moth Adults: Up to 13 mm (0.5 inches) long with light grey to tan colored wings. There may be light wavy markings across the wings of this brown moth. 

Almond Moth Eggs: Oval, ivory in color and 2 mm (0.08 inches) long. 

Almond Moth Larvae: Creamy white, brown head capsule, with rows of spots along the back. Microscopic examination is required to separate from other Ephestia moths. 

Almond Moth Pupae: Pupal cases are whitish with a yellow to brownish colored pupa inside. 

What is the almond moth life cycle?

Adult almond moths live for 10-14 days. Mated females can lay 20-120 eggs singly or in groups. Eggs hatch in 3-5 days in warmer months and up to 7 days in cooler months. Larvae mature in 25 days.

Development can extend up to 64 days depending on food quality, temperature, and humidity. Larvae will migrate from infested products to pupate. Adults will emerge from pupation in 8 to 10 days depending on temperature.

Solutions for Monitoring Almond Moths

PTL Multi-Species NoSurvivor™ Kit (IL-408)

from $103.50

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Kit of 10 Traps and Lures Case of 100 Traps and Lures

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PTL Multi-Species Bullet Lure (IL-108)

from $69.00

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Select Kit or Case Kit of 10 LuresCase of 100 Lures

Kit of 10 Lures Case of 100 Lures

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Food Moth NoSurvivor ™ Kit (IL-164)

from $85.50

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Select Kit or Case Kit of 10 Traps and LuresCase of 100 Traps and Lures

Kit of 10 Traps and Lures Case of 100 Traps and Lures

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Monitoring Guidelines for Almond Moth (Ephestia cautella)

Click on the image or insect name above to view monitoring guidelines for almond moths. These guidelines include details on Description, Lifecycle, Damage and Detection, Corresponding Products, Fun Facts, and more!

Stay tuned

Next week we are going to be sharing a solution Insects Limited offers when dealing with food infesting insects.

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Insects Limited, an Insect Pheromone Company

Insects Limited, Inc. researches, tests, develops, manufactures and distributes pheromones and trapping systems for insects in a global marketplace. The highly qualified staff also can assist with consultation, areas of expert witness, training presentations and grant writing.

Insects Limited, Inc. specializes in a unique niche of pest control that provides mainstream products and services to protect stored food, grain, museum collections, tobacco, timber and fiber worldwide. Please take some time to view these products and services in our web store.