It is most abundant in the temperate or tropical climates of India, China, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Egypt and Nigeria, with its location of origin being currently unknown.

The province was transformed into the present-day Charente département the following year, and as it has since turned out[2] the species is not originally native to western France.

[18] The larvae and adults of the Angoumois grain moth feed on the seeds and kernels of cereal crops: most commonly wheat, barley, sorghum, rice, rye, triticale and maize.

[19] The standard diet requirements for the larvae consists of corn starch, glycerol, casein, yeast,[dubious – discuss] and wheat germ found within the reproductive products of cereal crops.

[26] Egg incubation, rate of survival and fertility of the Angoumois grain moth is highly dependent on climatic conditions, chiefly temperature, and humidity.

[27] The natural threats to the Angoumois grain moth are pathogens, parasites, and predators of which there are a plethora of species, including birds, bats and insects.

[28] The Angoumois grain moth, despite being considered a pest, acts as a food source within ecosystems for the bird, bat and insect populations.

The moth infestation of crops with multiple applications like maize can also damage the availability of other products such as textiles, plastics, dyes and adhesives.

For example, some agricultural zones of China were calculated to have lost as much as 40% of their wheat and rice yields due to Angoumois grain moth infestations.

However, home infestations can occur and can result from the development of eggs or larvae within household products such as flour or pet food such as birdseed.

Strategies for combating infestation of the Angoumois grain moth differ widely in efficacy and utility based on regional regulations, wealth and access to specific chemicals or equipment.

[39] However, the emergence of natural immunity with the over-application of insecticides has been reported to occur, with some populations of the Angoumois grain moth becoming resistant to certain chemicals.

The use of insecticides may, however, incur biomagnification in the natural predators of the Angoumois grain moth such as birds, which can produce sub-lethal or lethal effects on these species.

Biogas from cattle manure and dried sage leaves on cereal crops are both used as natural measures to combat the Angoumois grain moth.

Though GMO application has been successfully augmenting yields globally, concerns exist regarding the possible toxin effects on non-target species in the ecosystem.