The caterpillar of this species can infest a variety of dried fruits, nuts, grains, seeds and candy. Despite its common name, the preferred food of this species is dried figs and dates. The almond moth is found worldwide.

The adult closely resembles the Mediterranean flour moth. However, the latter species has two black zigzag transverse bands on its front wings. An adult almond moth has a wingspan of 14 to 20 mm with the forewings mottled gray on most specimens. The moths fly with a rapid wing vibration and dart quickly about. Adult females lay about 110 to 120 eggs. The larva is cream or dirty white, colored with brown or purple dots on its back with a black seta (hair) protruding from each dot. The head and first thoracic segment are dark brown. This insect takes about 60 to 80 days to complete its life cycle and adults live for one to two weeks.

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