Mediterranean Flour Moths:

The Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella) is a common stored product pest affecting flour mills, bakeries, and homes. Adults have pale gray forewings with wavy blackish lines and a wingspan of 20–25 mm. Females lay 100–600 eggs directly on food products such as flour, cereals, bran, grains, and dried fruit. The larvae spin silk tunnels through the product as they feed, causing contamination and clogging milling equipment. The life cycle—egg, larva, pupa, adult—can be completed in 5–7 weeks under warm conditions, with larvae feeding for 40–90 days. Pupation occurs in cracks, crevices, or within the product. Multiple generations occur annually in heated facilities. Infestations can quickly spread through storage areas, requiring thorough sanitation, proper packaging, and temperature control for effective management.