Metzneria aprilella

Metzneria aprilella
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Gelechiidae
Genus: Metzneria
Species:
M. aprilella
Binomial name
Metzneria aprilella
Synonyms
  • Parasia aprilella Herrich-Schäffer, 1854
  • Metzneria igneella Tengström, 1859
  • Metzneria sanguinolentella de Joannis, 1910

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 and Centaurea solstitialis. They feed on the seeds from within the seedhead.