What Actually Is a Cork Moth?

It’s not just incorrect storage that causes problems for good wines. With the cork moth there are also pests that can spoil a good drop. The insect has a wingspan of around 15 millimeters and prefers to live in damp basements. The unprotected cork of the wine stored there is one of the ideal places for the cork moth to lay eggs.

The caterpillars then eat their way through the cork. This causes the cork to leak and the wine can escape unhindered from the bottle. An infestation with cork moths can be seen on the eaten upper cork layer. Sometimes the caterpillars themselves can also be identified by the closure. If cork crumbs can be seen under the capsule or on the bottom in front of the bottle, this is a clear indication of an infestation.

To protect the stored wine from cork moths in damp cellars, the cork can be covered with sealing wax. It is also possible to fight the adult animals yourself, for example with traps. The ideal time is the flight peak of the cork moth in June.