Meal Moth
Pyralis farinalis
This record describes Pyralis farinalis (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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Terms from the source record, grouped for readability. Broad terms such as size or location are not measurements or a confirmed range.
Wikipedia reference for Pyralis farinalis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyralis farinalis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Pyralinae
- Tribe
- Pyralini
- Genus
- Pyralis (Meal Moths)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The species is found mainly in barns, warehouses and other grain stores.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly from June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae of this colourful moth feed on stored grain.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is widespread throughout Britain but most often encountered in its chosen habitat. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pyralis farinalis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Meal Moth (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Meal Moth
How big is Meal Moth?
14mm to 30mm (0.55" to 1.18")
Where is Meal Moth found?
Habitat: The species is found mainly in barns, warehouses and other grain stores.
When is Meal Moth active?
Meal Moth: seasonal activity - The adults fly from June to August..
What is the life cycle of a Meal Moth?
The larvae of this colourful moth feed on stored grain.