A moth with a wing expanse of 13-19 mm and a length of 6-9 mm. The forewings are clay-yellow and without markings; the rear wings are grey. The rear edges of the forewings and rear wings have long fringes.
A primary pest of grain, which may be attacked in the field, although most damage occurs in storage. It attacks all types of grains, particularly corn and wheat. Badly infested grain has a sickening smell and taste that makes it unpalatable.
The larvae damages grain, pulses, cocoa beans and other seeds. It is the only moth species which lives entirely inside the kernels.
