Metzneria metzneriella
This record describes Metzneria metzneriella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 14 to19 mm. Orangey-brown wing has a row of dark dots and a pale fringe. The moths are on the wing between June and August. The larvae feed on the seeds of Common Knapweed or Saw-wort overwintering in the seedhead before pupating in late spring. The commonest of the six British species of Metzneria distributed throughout England, Wales and southern Scotland. It also occurs locally in Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Gelechiidae
- Genus
- Metzneria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Dry pastures and calcareous soils.
Seasonal Activity
The moths are on the wing between June and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on the seeds of Common Knapweed or Saw-wort overwintering in the seedhead before pupating in late spring.
Additional species information
Recorded status
The commonest of the six British species of
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Metzneria metzneriella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Metzneria metzneriella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Metzneria metzneriella
What is Metzneria metzneriella?
Metzneria metzneriella is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Metzneria metzneriella found?
Habitat: Dry pastures and calcareous soils.
When is Metzneria metzneriella active?
Metzneria metzneriella: seasonal activity - The moths are on the wing between June and August..
What is the life cycle of a Metzneria metzneriella?
The larvae feed on the seeds of Common Knapweed or Saw-wort overwintering in the seedhead before pupating in late spring.