Anerastia lotella       Aglossa pinguinalis
62.072 BF1417  –  Pyralidae –  Pyralinae – Pyralis farinalis – Meal Moth – (Linnaeus, 1758) Adult Micro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive Species –       PDF Icon – click for General Verification Guidelines  |   PDF Icon – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Blue –  Generally Common / Widespread   
Taxonomy:   Micro   >>  Pyralidae  >> Pyralinae
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: An attractively marked pyralid. Has a habit of holding up the tip of its abdomen at rest. Forewings are tri-coloured. Basal area dark brown or purplish-brown – central area orangey-yellow or pale mustard-yellow. Termen and apex area same colour as basal area. The central forewing area bordered either side by a white wavy cross-line.
Distribution:  Probably fairly common across the county but not trapped in large numbers. Frequents stables, barns, mills, farms and animal shelters. Anywhere where there is stored cereal or cereal waste.
General Comment: None Flight Period: June /  July /  August –  On the wing during June – August. Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 18-30mm
 Food Plant: Stored grain and cereal waste.
Recorded dates for Common [Blue code Blue-coded] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.
Selected Images:  Melbourne, Derbyshire – Tony Davison©

62.072 BF1417 - Pyralidae - Pyralinae - Pyralia farinalis
Pyralis farinalis – Melbourne – Tony Davison
62.072 BF1417 - Pyralidae - Pyralinae - Pyralia farinalis
Pyralis farinalis – Melbourne – Tony Davison
Meal Moth - Pyralis farinalis - Melbourne - Tony Davison
Meal Moth – Pyralis farinalis – Melbourne – Tony DavisonDavison
62.072 BF1417 - Pyralidae - Pyralinae - Pyralia farinalis
62.072 BF1417 - Pyralidae - Pyralinae - Pyralia farinalis
Meal Moth - Pyralis farinalis - Melbourne - Tony Davison


Image Gallery

62.072 BF1417 - Pyralis farinalis - Meal Moth Melbourne, Derbyshire Tony Davison© 62.072 BF1417 - Pyralis farinalis - Meal Moth Melbourne, Derbyshire Tony Davison©

Distribution Map for Pyralis farinalis

Found 130 records
    ↳ 9 from After 2025
    ↳ 47 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 74 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

If the Map Layers function fails, just refresh the page and it should be OK after. Use the +- zoom on the top left, or on a tablet, use two fingers to zoom. Remember, the last layer you ticked is the one which displays the popup information - they sit on top of each other - de-select then re-select, to see the popup values.

Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.


NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Pyralis farinalis

⚠️ Please wait for the map to load fully – do not click the link shown.


Note – the NBN Atlas datasets are listed in the map below and vary in their currency (uptodateness) – however, the map does give a general indication of the moth's distribution across the UK.

Visit NBN Site


Monthly Records By Year: Pyralis farinalis
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Pyralis farinalis
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only. )


First/Last Recorded Dates: Pyralis farinalis
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]

Shading shows moth presence between dates

Click the colour discs below to Select/De-select as Required

Recordings By Year: Pyralis farinalis
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Pyralis farinalis
AGR: 0.42%   |   Total % Change: 11.1%


CUSUM Analysis: Pyralis farinalis
About this chart: CUSUM (Cumulative Sum) charts track long-term trends in moth populations [ filtered by 'Adult' and 'Mine' life stages ] by showing whether each year’s counts are above or below the historical average. Even small shifts build up over time, making trends of growth, stability, or decline easier to see. CUSUM highlights trend-consistency — asking: “Across the years, have moth counts mostly stayed above or below average?”
The data sample has 5 gap year/s here (zero records) between 2000 and 2025. The moth may have been present in those gap years, but no data was available. Too many year-gaps may exaggerate or skew the chart.

Counts for the current year (2025) are pro-rated based on data available up to month 9 (September) to provide a full-year equivalent.

ⓘ Purple line rises = years better than average; falls = years worse than average.
Peak (best year) Trough (worst year) Growth periods Decline periods
Population peaked around 2025, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2021, showing a significant decline.

What the Y-axis "Cumulative Deviation" means: Cumulative Deviation shows the running total of how each year’s moth population count differs from the long-term average. i

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Pyralis farinalis
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Pyralis farinalis
( data includes Adult Stage only )

Flight Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's flight periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen in flight, from site observation records received between 2020-2025.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Pyralis farinalis – 130 records available

Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
upper cromford gardenSK25Y11/08/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34U10/08/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Midway, Derbys.SK32A10/08/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N17/07/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34U12/07/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Midway, Derbys.SK32A30/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Staveley DerbyshireSK47H25/06/20252adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34U20/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ingleby Ave, DerbySK33L14/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Chaddesden, DerbySK33T18/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ilkeston, DerbyshireSK44K17/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelpeSK34N13/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
LittleoverSK33G11/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y07/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34N06/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ilkeston, DerbyshireSK44K02/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z30/07/20242Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Derby DESK33I30/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34N29/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Stonebroom.SK45E29/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Chaddesden, DerbySK33T28/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Stonebroom.SK45E24/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34N23/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Staveley DerbyshireSK47H22/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glapwell Garden TrapSK46T22/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Derby DESK33I19/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Chaddesden, DerbySK33T14/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
AmbergateSK35K12/07/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Inkersall gardenSK47G11/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A26/06/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Coal AstonSK37U23/06/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Melbourne, DerbyshireSK32X22/06/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Staveley DerbyshireSK47H19/06/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
BolsoverSK47Q18/06/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
BolsoverSK47Q16/05/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34N07/09/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R28/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
SandiacreSK43T08/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Mickleover gardenSK33C08/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
SandiacreSK43T23/06/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Rolls Royce Duffield Bank House, Duffield.SK34L13/06/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Mickleover gardenSK33C23/08/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
SandiacreSK43T10/08/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34U29/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A17/07/20222adultvc57_irecords_extract
Midway, Derbys.SK32A10/08/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z31/07/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R20/07/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Wood Lane, Newhall, SwadlincoteSK22V16/07/20211adultDanes_2019-2021
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y23/09/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y12/08/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Great Britain, Derby, England, GBSK33N11/08/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Wood Lane, Newhall, SwadlincoteSK22V07/08/20201adultDanes_2019-2021
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSESK37J27/07/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y12/07/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Long Eaton, DerbysSK43X12/06/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34N03/08/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y18/07/20181Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X07/07/20171Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X07/07/20171Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Marlborough Road, Long Eaton, DerbysSK43X13/09/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Wood Lane,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V02/08/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSESK37J21/07/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSESK37J20/07/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T23/07/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z20/07/20131Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hallfieldgate Lane, Shirland, AlfretonSK35Z20/07/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lancaster Ave,SandiacreSK43S05/07/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z03/09/20121adultvc57_irecords_extract
Bamford St,RipleySK34Z03/09/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Dronfield WoodhouseSK37J19/08/20121adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lancaster Ave,SandiacreSK43S12/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lancaster Ave,SandiacreSK43S10/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T10/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lancaster Ave,SandiacreSK43S09/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T08/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lancaster Ave,SandiacreSK43S03/08/20122Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S24/07/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z28/06/20121adultvc57_irecords_extract
Bamford St,RipleySK34Z28/06/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z03/09/20111adultvc57_irecords_extract
Bamford St,RipleySK34Z03/09/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lancaster Ave,SandiacreSK43S03/09/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Glebe Rise,Littleover,DerbySK33H19/08/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T03/08/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
George St,BelperSK34N02/08/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T28/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z11/07/20111adultvc57_irecords_extract
Bamford St,RipleySK34Z11/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Rose Av,ClowneSK57D08/08/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Duffield Rd, Allestree, DerbySK34K25/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hardhurst Rd, Alvaston, DerbySK33W20/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hardhurst Rd, Alvaston, DerbySK33W10/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Backgarden of Whitegates, CodnorSK44E09/07/20101adultvc57_irecords_extract
Whitegates, CodnorSK44E09/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Briar Close,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V08/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lancaster Ave,SandiacreSK43S21/06/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hardhurst Rd, Alvaston, DerbySK33W20/06/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drayton Ave,Mackworth,DerbySK33D10/07/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drayton Ave,Mackworth,DerbySK33D23/06/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wheeldon Av,BelperSK34N22/06/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lancaster Ave,SandiacreSK43S27/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Melbourne, DerbyshireSK32X04/07/20081adultvc57_irecords_extract
Spinney Hill,MelbourneSK32X04/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drakelow NR,Burton on TrentSK22F08/09/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Briar Close,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V04/09/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wood Lane,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V10/08/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bristol Rd,IlkestonSK44R10/08/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bristol Rd,IlkestonSK44R01/08/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Melbourne, DerbyshireSK32X22/07/20071adultvc57_irecords_extract
Spinney Hill,MelbourneSK32X22/07/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y03/09/20061Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Spinney Hill,MelbourneSK32X03/09/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y03/09/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Melbourne, DerbyshireSK32X03/08/20061adultvc57_irecords_extract
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A28/07/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A21/07/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R17/07/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A24/06/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Briar Close,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V23/06/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y06/08/20041Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y06/08/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R03/08/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hasland (site not precise)SK36Z29/09/20021Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St, Sawley, Long EatonSK43R26/08/20001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St, Sawley, Long EatonSK43R12/08/20001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St, Sawley, Long EatonSK43R03/07/19981Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St, Sawley, Long EatonSK43R01/07/19981Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wood Lane,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V22/07/19941Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clay CrossSK36W27/08/19711Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

Anerastia lotella       Aglossa pinguinalis

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