Mediterranean flour moth

9.5

A small moth whose larvae eat stored flour and grain

noun

: polilla de la harina mediterránea

The Mediterranean flour moth is a common pest in bakeries and food storage facilities.

Examples

Proper sanitation helps prevent the spread of the Mediterranean flour moth in warehouses.
Have you ever seen a Mediterranean flour moth in your pantry?
Infestations of Mediterranean flour moth larvae can ruin large quantities of stored grain products.
The Mediterranean flour moth is a common pest in many households.
Infestations of Mediterranean flour moth larvae can ruin large quantities of stored grain products.
Proper sanitation helps prevent the spread of the Mediterranean flour moth in warehouses.
The Mediterranean flour moth is a common pest that infests flour products and stored grains.

Synonyms

Anagasta kuehniella

vsMediterranean flour moth

Specialized

9.9

A small moth whose young eat and damage stored grain and flour

is the common species name used for that same pest of stored food

grain moth

vsMediterranean flour moth

7.3

A small insect whose caterpillars eat stored grain and damage food

is one specific species that attacks both grain and flour products

Surface Forms

Mediterranean flour moth singular

Mediterranean flour moths plural

Morphology

Mediterranean + flour + moth

The compound is fully compositional: 'moth' is the head noun (an insect) modified by 'flour' (indicating association with flour/foodstuffs) and 'Mediterranean' (regional qualifier). A B1 learner who knows the three words can readily infer it denotes a moth species associated with flour in the Mediterranean area (i.e., a pest of stored flour), so the meaning is transparent.

Etymology

Mediterranean flour moth gets its name from the region Mediterranean and the food flour it often eats. Its tiny young caterpillars crawl into sacks and boxes and spoil stored grain and 'flour', so the name reminds us that this small moth is a pest of stored flour.