Almond Moth
Cadra cautella
Moth Identification
The body is 7.5 – 10 mm long. The adult almond moth has a wing span of 19 mm. The forewings are grey to dusty brown. The larva is white to pink in colour and has a distinctive brown head. There is a dark straight band across the forewing, which is paler on the inner edge.
Description
The Almond Moth goes by the nicknames “Cocoa Moth” and “Tropical Warehouse Moth”. The almond moth infests stored products and the adults can fly.
A sign of infestation in the product is contamination with silk webbing, frass, cast skins, pupal cases and adult remains.
The almond moth is found worldwide in processing facilities, warehouses and households. It feeds on grain, cereal products, oilseeds and dried plant products, like nuts, fruit and tobacco. The larva burrows into food and creates silk tunnels in which it will be concealed while feeding. Large larva can burrow through packing.
The female lays 150 - 200 eggs loosely and randomly on a food source. The larva can grow to 12.7 mm in length. When the larva is mature, it will actively leave the food source and search for a site in which to pupate. The larva pupates in a silk cocoon.
