Gelechiidae

35.055 Carline Seedhead Moth Metzneria aestivella (Zeller, 1839)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 6 to 7.5mm

Habitats: Short-turfed limestone downland, quarries and sand-dunes.

Habits: The moth is occasionally disturbed from the foodplant. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds in the flower-heads of Carline Thistle, overwintering in a spun chamber in the base of the flower-head, where it pupates in early May. On the European mainland it has also been recorded from Dwarf Thistle and Scentless Feverfew.