EPHESTIA ELUTELLA Meaning and
Definition
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"Ephestia elutella" is a species of moth belonging to the family Pyralidae, commonly known as the Mediterranean flour moth or the cocoa moth. It is a small insect that typically measures about 10-15 millimeters in length and has a wingspan of approximately 20-25 millimeters.
This moth species is widely distributed across the Mediterranean region, including Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. It is commonly found in areas where stored grain and dried food products are present, such as bakeries, warehouses, and households. They are known to infest a variety of dry foodstuffs including flour, cereals, cocoa beans, dried fruits, nuts, and spices, making it a significant economic pest.
The adult moth has grayish-brown forewings with a characteristic pattern of zigzag lines, while the hindwings are paler and more uniform in color. The larvae of Ephestia elutella are creamy white in appearance with a small dark head. They are known for their capability to spin silken threads, often forming webs within the food source. These larvae feed on the food materials, contaminating them with their silk, excrement, and partially consumed food particles.
As a result of their infestation, Ephestia elutella can cause significant damage to stored food products and impact food quality, leading to financial losses for farmers, food manufacturers, and retailers. Control measures for this pest often involve proper storage conditions, including temperature and humidity control, regular inspection, and the use of insecticides or pheromone traps to help monitor and manage their populations.
Common Misspellings for EPHESTIA ELUTELLA
- wphestia elutella
- sphestia elutella
- dphestia elutella
- rphestia elutella
- 4phestia elutella
- 3phestia elutella
- eohestia elutella
- elhestia elutella
- e-hestia elutella
- e0hestia elutella
- epgestia elutella
- epbestia elutella
- epnestia elutella
- epjestia elutella
- epuestia elutella
- epyestia elutella
- ephwstia elutella
- ephsstia elutella
- ephdstia elutella
Etymology of EPHESTIA ELUTELLA
The word "Ephestia elutella" is the scientific binomial name for a species of moth commonly known as the Mediterranean flour moth or the Indian meal moth. The etymology of this name can be broken down as follows:
1. Ephestia: The genus name "Ephestia" originated from the Greek word "ephestos", meaning "remembered" or "well-known". It refers to the species' common presence and wide recognition in the Mediterranean region.
2. Elutella: The specific epithet "elutella" is derived from Latin. While its exact meaning is not entirely clear, it is thought to be an adjective form of "elutus" meaning "washed out" or "pale yellow". This might be a reference to the moth's pale yellowish coloration.
