Moths of Stored Products

Today, important pests of stored products, including moths present in Australia, are a subset of the species now found worldwide, the origins of which are mostly obscure. The most important pests of stored product are members of the Pyralidae and Gelechiidae. They can be significant pests of cereal grains but most are better known as pests of processed foodstuffs. In addition, members of the Oecophoridae and Tineidae can be found in storages, mainly as scavengers on crop residues. The most important moth species, Plodia , Cadra and Ephestia , commonly infest finished processed products. Any presence of these creatures on a finished product is effectively a total loss in terms of being able to sell the product.