© Stuart M Bennett 2003
Oinophila v-flavum
(Wine Moth)


This is not really a pest of foodstuffs, but somewhat of a specialist, for it is often found in wine cellars where the larvae gnaw holes in the corks (see picture below).

They thrive particularly in damp cellars, feeding on the mould growing on the walls and on the wine corks, and what is worse they can live in mouldy corks. The debris produced by their activities can be seen hanging from the corks, often covered with the wine which has seeped out of the bottle. "Now I'm sure I had a bottle of Bollinger '53 here somewhere".

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