Meal moth

Naming

It is the type species of the genus "Pyralis", and by extension of its entire tribe, subfamily and family. Its synanthropic habits were noted even by 18th- and 19th-century naturalists, who described it using terms like "domesticalis", "fraterna", or the currently-valid "farinalis".

Behavior

Adults fly from June to August. Adults do not live long after mating and eggs hatch quickly, which leads this moth to have a quick life cycle and be able to produce multiple generations within a single year.

Habitat

"P. farinalis" is typically found in silos or other grain storage buildings where the grain is stored poorly and moisture is able to infiltrate the grain supply. Places where refuse vegetable matter is able to accumulate are more likely to house "P. farinalis" than grain storage buildings where the environment is clean and dry. "P. farinalis" prefers to live in detritus and has been found in non-urban areas in almond orchards. Meal moths can live in various habitats of damp, moist plant debris, but also even in poultry manure.

Evolution

Originally thought to be biennial species, it has been found that "P. farinalis" typically completes its entire life cycle in the course of eight weeks, and is capable of producing four generations within a year. Fast life cycles in these moths allow them to reproduce and grow their populations rapidly.

Cultural

One of the most surprising uses for "P. farinalis" is its use in producing "insect tea" in China. In China, the moth lives on the host plant of "Litsea coreana" and scientists have been studying optimum temperatures for which the moth is able to grow and develop best in the hopes of being able to cultivate the moths for insect tea.