The Warehouse Moth Ephestia elutella has relatively extensive distribution, being found throughout the temperate areas of the world, but not however in the tropics. Generally to be considered an indoor insect it is most successful in food storage environments such as warehouses factories and shops. Most stored food commodities will be attacked, although white flour is not attractive to the larvae. The Indian Meal Moth is less common in temperate areas and is usually found in imported foods.
Male moths fly readily in response to sex pheromone released by the females.
Mating usually occurs on foodstacks. Mated females may lay up to 200 eggs over a two week period. The larvae are able to penetrate even well sealed packaging. Heavy infestations may lead to visible signs such as silk deposits on the edges of stacks. During diapause, insects are able to withstand conditions that would usually kill them.