Aglossa caprealis

Description

Aglossa caprealis, the stored grain moth, is a moth species of the family Pyralidae. It is found globally, though its native range is presumably the western Palearctic or nearby regions, as in other Aglossa species. The wingspan is 23–27 mm. The moth flies from June to August, depending on the location. The larvae feed on dry plant waste, grain (e.g. maize), hay, straw and decaying manure. Sometimes, they even eat animal carcasses, suet, lard, pork rinds and other fatty materials. Aglossa is a genus of small moths belonging to the family Pyralidae. It was described by Pierre André Latreille in 1796. They are found mainly in western Eurasia, though some species have been introduced elsewhere. This genus is remarkable for the caterpillars, which in some species are able to feed on a wide range of materials that are not usually eaten by Lepidoptera larvae, such as dead insects, manure and straw. The caterpillars of other Aglossa (e.g. A. signicostalis) are myrmecophilous. Adults of the grease moth (A. cuprina) sometimes eat fats such as suet.