Metzneria metzneriella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is widely distributed throughout Europe, as well as Turkey and southern Siberia.[1] The habitat consists of dry pastures and calcareous soils.
The wingspan is 14–19 mm. Terminal joint of palpi thick, half second. Forewings are pale yellow-ochreous, towards costa reddish-ochreous; margins and veins more or less suffused with grey, sprinkled with dark fuscous; stigmata black, first discal much beyond plical. Hindwings are grey. The larva is yellow-whitish; head and plate of 2 dark fuscous.[2] Adults are on wing from June to August.[3]
The larvae feed on the seeds of Centaurea jacea, Centaurea phrygia and Centaurea scabiosa.[4] The species overwinters within the seedhead. Pupation takes place in late spring.