Photo © Mike Wall
Mediterranean Flour Moth
Ephestia kuehniella
Checklist Number62.063 [B&F: 1475]
Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification
Classification
| Family: | Pyralidae |
| Subfamily: | Phycitinae |
| Genus: | Ephestia |
| Species: | kuehniella |
| Authority: | Zeller, 1879 |
Naturalised through accidental introduction in dried goods in barns, warehouses, granaries and container ports throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight seldom recorded, but then seldom sought, inside flour mills and warehouses. Wingspan 20-25 mm. One of six very similar species of Ephestia found in the UK, which are generally separable only by dissection of the genitalia, most wild-caught individuals being E. unicolorella, with the other five species favouring warehouses. The largest Ephestia species, forewing darker grey than in the other species, discal dots more conspicuous and second line characteristically deeply indented near costa [Goater]. Larva feeds on wheat-flour, dried fruit, nuts, dried goods, cereals and grain, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas.
The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:
No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Larval | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
VC8 Wiltshire (Hants county)
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Park (SU11) | 05/04/2003 | one | David G Green | Adult |
VC10 Isle of Wight
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanklin (SZ58) | 1922 | - | H F Poole | Adult |
| Freshwater (SZ38) | 27/08/1964 | one | Sam Knill-Jones | Adult |
| Godshill (SZ58) | 14/02/2002 | one | Peter J Cramp | Adult |
| Totland (SZ38) | 04/06/2022 | one | Rachel Terry | Adult |
VC11 South Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botley (SU51) | 20/04/1974 | - | Richard J Dickson | Adult |
| Bitterne (SU41) | 27/07/1979 | - | Phil Budd | Adult |
| Winchester (SU43) | 16/05/1985 | one | D H Sterling | Adult |
| Funtley (SU50) | 13/03/2000 | one | Maurice Opie | Adult |
| Park Gate (SU50) | 04/09/2004 | two | David Appleton | Adult |
| Waterlooville (SU60) | 01/10/2006 | two | Richard J Moore | Adult |
VC12 North Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cholderton (SU24) | 18/11/1995 | - | Henry Edmunds | Adult |
| Fleet (SU75) | 27/09/1998 | three | Rob Edmunds | Adult |
