''Metzneria aprilella'', the brilliant neb, is a
moth of the family
Gelechiidae. It is widely distributed throughout Europe. Outside of Europe, it is found in
Turkey,
Kazakhstan,
Uzbekistan,
Iran and southern
Siberia. The habitat consists of waste ground and grassland.
The
wingspan is 13–18 mm. Adults are on wing from May to August.
The larvae feed on ''
Centaurea scabiosa
''Centaurea scabiosa'', or greater knapweed, is a perennial plant of the genus ''Centaurea''. It is native to Europe and bears purple flower heads.
Greater knapweed is found growing in dry grasslands, hedgerows and cliffs on lime-rich soil. Upri ...
'' and ''
Centaurea solstitialis''. They feed on the seeds from within the seedhead.
UKMoths
/ref> The species overwinters in the larval stage within a silken chamber.
References
Moths described in 1854
Metzneria
Moths of Europe
Insects of Turkey
{{Anomologinae-stub