UKMoths Cacao Moth Ephestia elutella - Distribution map
Please note that the NBN Gateway map service has been terminated as of 1 April 2017.
As soon as a replacement map service is available, distribution maps will hopefully appear here again.
In the meantime, you can get some idea of distribution from the NBN Atlas website.
62.064 BF1473
Cacao Moth Ephestia elutella
(Hübner, 1796)
Wingspan c.15-20 mm.
Quite a common and widespread moth, and something of a pest species in warehouses feeding on stored materials, especially cacao and tobacco, but also a range of others, such as cereals.
The adults are on the wing between June and October, and most often found in warehouses and the like, although sometimes are encountered outdoors.
Although similar to other Ephestia species, it is quite pale and most likely to be confused with E. parasitella, whereby reference to the structure of the genitalia may be necessary.
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