Kebnat
INSECTS

Meal moth

Pyralis farinalis

Insects
Introduced
Meal moth, photo 1 of 5
Meal moth, photo 2 of 5
Meal moth, photo 3 of 5
18–30 mmWingspan

Butterfly or moth in the family Pyralidae with a wingspan of 18–30 mm. Introduced to Québec.

There are 133 observations of Meal moth in Québec, mostly in Montréal, Montérégie and Capitale-Nationale, and it has been reported in 14 of the 17 regions. They peak in June and July and become rare from November to May.

Through the year

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Where to see it

  1. Montréal39
  2. Montérégie28
  3. Capitale-Nationale17
  4. Estrie15
  5. Outaouais8
  6. Abitibi-Témiscamingue7
  7. Laurentides4
  8. Bas-Saint-Laurent4
  9. Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean4
  10. Chaudière-Appalaches2
  11. Lanaudière2
  12. Laval1
  13. Mauricie1
  14. Côte-Nord1

What the caterpillar eats

MaizeZea mays
Bread wheatTriticum aestivum
Cream narcissusNarcissus tazetta
Garden hyacinthHyacinthus orientalis
BarleyHordeum vulgare
TOXIC
OatAvena sativa
TOXIC
Cultivated annual ryeSecale cereale
TOXIC
AlfalfaMedicago sativa
TOXIC
Irish potatoSolanum tuberosum
TOXIC
Garden onionAllium cepa
TOXIC
SorghumSorghum bicolor

Similar species

Indian-Meal MothPlodia interpunctella
Dimorphic Tosale MothTosale oviplagalis
Ragweed Flower MothSchinia rivulosa
Yellow-fringed Dolichomia MothHypsopygia olinalis
Stored grain mothAglossa caprealis
Maple Webworm MothPococera asperatella
Shagreened Slug MothApoda biguttata