Meal Moth - Pyralis farinalis

Description

Wingspan 18-30 mm. The adults of this colourful moth rest characteristically with the tip of the abdomen curved up at right-angles to the body.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

The species is found mainly in barns, warehouses and other grain stores.

When to see it

The adults fly from June to August.

Life History

The larvae of this colourful moth feed on stored grain.

UK 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.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire & Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant)

Reference
62.072 BF1417

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Meal Moth
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Pyralidae
Records on NatureSpot:
76
First record:
31/05/1997 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
09/09/2023 (Hague, John)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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