Cork moth

(Nemapogon cloacellus)

Biology:

The cork moth (fam. Tineidae, tineid moths) is closely related to the corn moth and looks very similar. It lives in moist grains, on fungi and in wine cellars, where it lays its eggs on bottle corks or moist wine barrels.

 

Damage:

The damage it causes to grains is similar to that caused by the corn moth. Nowadays, however, grain tends to be stored with a corn moisture content of less than 15 %, which is not moist enough for the cork moth. Therefore, if it occurs at all, it is generally found in farming storage facilities. In wine cellars, however, it can sometimes be extremely damaging as it feeds on cork and therefore destroys the bottle corks.