Bug FAQGrease Moth
Aglossa cuprina · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Pyralidae
Source: Wikipedia
The grease moth has a wingspan of about 1.8 to 2.7 cm and brown-grey forewings with pale yellow markings. Infestations are common in stored food that is kept for long periods, and the larvae produce silk that mixes with the food.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults have a wingspan ranging from about 18 to 27 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
Grease moths are a common stored-product pest, infesting dried grain foods and producing silk that intertwines with the product.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
They are found in and around human habitations, especially in kitchens and pantry areas.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed mainly on dried grain-based products. Adult moths feed on butter, suet and other greasy substances.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
The complete life cycle can take from about a year up to more than two years, depending on temperature. Adult moths emerge in early summer.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Moths are typically seen from May through August, with flight activity at dusk in June and July.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The species occurs in North America as well as Europe, Asia, Australia and South America.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
They are closely related to the meal moth (Pyralis farinalis) and often confused with it.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 37 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Ohio, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, Vermont.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: introduced in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
How do I get rid of grease moths?
Store dry goods in airtight containers and avoid keeping them for long periods; regular cleaning and proper pantry hygiene help prevent infestations.
Source: Wikipedia
Where are grease moths usually found in the house?
They are most often found in kitchens, especially in pantry shelves where dried grains and other dry foods are stored.
Source: Wikipedia
What do grease moth larvae eat?
The larvae feed primarily on dried grain-based products such as flour, cereal, and other stored dry foods.
Source: Wikipedia
When are adult grease moths active?
Adults fly at dusk during the early summer months, mainly from June to July.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Pyralidae)
Indian-Meal MothPlodia interpunctellaCan damage your home
Greater Wax MothGalleria mellonella
Mediterranean Flour MothEphestia kuehniellaCan damage your home
Meal mothPyralis farinalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Bee MothAphomia sociellaNuisance, not dangerous
Yellow-fringed Dolichomia MothHypsopygia olinalisSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aglossa_cuprina
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-23.