Wingspan 14 to19 mm. Orangey-brown wing has a row of dark dots and a pale fringe.

Dry pastures and calcareous soils.

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.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).