726 Metzneria metzneriella
(Stainton, 1851)
Wingspan 14-19 mm.The commonest of the six British species of Metzneria, and distributed throughout England, Wales and southern Scotland. It also occurs locally in Ireland.
The moths are on the wing between June and August, occupying dry pastures and calcareous soils.
The larvae feed on the seeds of common knapweed (Centaurea nigra) or saw-wort (Serratula tinctoria), overwintering in the seedhead before pupating in late spring.
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