Ephestia elutella, the cacao moth, tobacco moth or warehouse moth, is a small moth of the family Pyralidae. It is probably native to Europe, but has been transported widely, even to Australia. A subspecies is E. e. pterogrisella.
The wingspan is 14–20 mm. This moth flies throughout the warmer months, e.g. from the end of April to October in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Infestation
The caterpillars of Ephestia elutella are often considered a pest, as they feed on dry plant produce, such as cocoa beans and tobacco, as well as cereals and dried fruit and nuts. Less usual foods include dried-out meat and animal carcasses, specimens in insect collections, and dry wood.
Tobacco and its related products can be infested by Lasioderma serricorne (tobacco beetle) and Ephestia elutella, which are the most widespread and damaging parasites to the tobacco industry. Infestation can range from the tobacco cultivated in the fields to the leaves used for manufacturing cigars, cigarillos, cigarettes, etc.
Taxonomy
This species has been known under a number of junior synonyms: Ephestia amarella Dyar, 1904 Ephestia icosiella Ragonot, 1888 Ephestia infumatella Ragonot, 1887 Ephestia roxburghi (lapsus) Ephestia roxburghii Gregson, 1873 Ephestia roxburgii (lapsus) Ephestia uniformata Dufrane, 1942 (variety) Homoeosoma affusella Ragonot, 1888 Hyphantidium sericarium Scott, 1859 Phycis angusta (Haworth, 1811) Phycis elutea Haworth, 1811; (unjustified emendation) Phycis rufa Haworth, 1811 Phycis semirufa Haworth, 1811 Tinea elutella Hübner, 1796