grain moth
- noun
- /ɡreɪn mɔθ/
:
polilla de los granos
- The farmer discovered a grain moth infestation in his wheat storage silo.
Examples
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The grain moth is a common pest in storage facilities.
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They inspected the shipment for signs of grain moth larvae.
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Proper sealing of grain bins can help prevent grain moth problems.
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Farmers often find grain moths in their stored wheat.
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The farmer discovered a grain moth infestation in his wheat storage silo.
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Farmers often find grain moths in their stored wheat.
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They inspected the shipment for signs of grain moth larvae.
Synonyms
A small moth whose young eat and damage stored grain
A small moth whose larvae eat stored grains like wheat or corn and damage them
A small insect whose young eat kernels of stored grain
A small moth whose young eat and damage stored grain
A small moth whose young eat and damage stored grain and flour
A small moth whose caterpillars eat stored grain and flour
A small moth whose larvae eat stored flour and grain
A small moth whose young eat stored grains and nuts and make silk webbing
A small moth whose caterpillars eat and make webs in stored nuts and grain
A small moth whose caterpillars eat dried fruit and cereals
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound 'grain moth' is transparently built from 'grain' (edible seed) + 'moth' (insect) and directly denotes a moth associated with grain (i.e. one that feeds on or infests stored grain). This noun–noun compounding is a regular, compositional pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Grain moth is named for a clear image: the small moth lays eggs on stored grain, and the baby insects eat and spoil the grain. So the name means 'a moth that eats and damages stored grain'.
