Metzneria metzneriella

Description

Metzneria metzneriella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is widely distributed throughout Europe, as well as Turkey and southern Siberia. The habitat consists of dry pastures and calcareous soils. The wingspan is 14–19 mm. Adults are on wing from June to August. The larvae feed on the seeds of Centaurea jacea, Centaurea phrygia and Centaurea scabiosa. The species overwinters within the seedhead. Pupation takes place in late spring.