flour moth

Kitchen cabinet invader

A flour moth is a small moth whose larvae infest stored grain products—flour, cereals, pasta, and similar dry goods.

The Indian meal moth is the most common species found in home pantries.

The larvae spin silky webs through contaminated food, making it unfit for consumption: We had to throw out everything in the cupboard after finding flour moths.

infestation

larvae

Immature metamorphosing creatures

webbingTough woven strap material
contaminationIntroduction of impurities
spoilageFood degradation process

damage · spread · breeding · population · outbreak · swarm · invasion · overrun · proliferate · teem

insect

larvae

Immature metamorphosing creatures

caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
pupaeMetamorphosis middle stage
cocoonSilk wrapping for transformation

antennae · wings · metamorphosis · lepidoptera · entomology · invertebrate · nocturnal · scales · silken · webbing

control

traps

Devices for catching prey

pheromoneBehavior-altering bodily secretion
preventionStopping something before occurring
eradicationTotal elimination of something

fumigation · pesticide · insecticide · freezing · disposal · inspection · cleaning · sealing · airtight containers · monitoring

pantry

cereal

Processed grain for breakfast

grainsSmall hard seeds
riceStaple cereal grain
pastaShaped wheat dough

oats · cornmeal · semolina · bran · nuts · seeds · dried fruit · spices · storage · shelves

Opposites

target material

flour mothclothes moth

Insect damaging fabric storage

carpet moth · wool moth

pest status

flour mothsilk moth

Insect yielding fine fiber

luna moth · hawk moth

Family

flour, moth, flours, floured, flouring, floury, moths, mothy, flower

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G