General
Open wing span 10mm-23mm. Distinctive covering of white scales on the head and thorax. The shining buff upperside of the forewing is speckled with dark brown. Wing scales are readily lost and therefore wing pattern is an unreliable characteristic for identification. More accurate identification requires professional help.
 
Significance
This moth is a scavenger, attacking a wide variety of foodstuffs. Its presence indicates that there are undisturbed residues available, e.g. mouldy commodities or long standing vegetable debris. Rarely attacks clean foodstuffs. Recorded on seeds, bird’s nests roof thatches and corks.     

Control
Find the sources of infestation. The roof space should be checked. Infested commodities should be destroyed or failing this fumigated, the area cleaned and a residual insecticide applied.  The use of an ultra low volume insecticide applicator may also be indicated. This moth is an indicator of less than adequate standards of hygiene. 

Number of days spent as: