Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella)

a. Biology:

• A fully grown larva is about 5mm long, with a white body and yellow brown head.
• The characteristic feature is the presence of the narrow pointed wings fringed with long hair.

b. Nature of damage:

• The damage is maximum during the monsoon.
• Only the larva damage by feeding on the grain kernels before harvest and also in store.
• The larva bore into grain and feeds on its contents.
• As it grows, it extends the hole which partly gets filled with pellets of excreta which imparts unhealthy appearance and smell.