Subspecies
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No subspecies are recognized.
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Synonyms
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Pyralis farinalis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Pyralis erecta (Geoffrey, 1758)
Pyralis domesticalis (Zeller, 1847)
Pyralis tenerifensis (Rebel, 1906)
Pyralis infumata (Rebel, 1940) (manuscript name)
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Identification
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Wing
span 18 - 32 mm. Brilliant chestnut brown or black-brown. The
anteromedial and postmedial lines are white and border a caramel-brown
and golden-brown medial field. The imagines have a typical resting
position with an upward bent abdomen and slighly opened wings.
The larvae are grey-white with a light-brown neck shield and a dark brown head capsule.
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Distribution
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A cosmopolitan species, and in Germany recorded from all Bundesländer.
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Biology
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A
synanthropic species feeding on stored plant products (flour, grain,
cereals etc.) and can become a pest of economical significance. The
imago flies from April to September, but can be found the year round in
buildings. The larval stage can last longer than one year (up to two
years), but when the food supply is plenty the development can be much
faster and there can be up to 5 generations per year. The larvae live in
a web in the food and pupate in a rigid cocoon camouflaged with food
particles.
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Specimen photographed in Frankfurt am Main (Hessen) on July 12, 2012.
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