Lesser Burdock Moth
Scientific Name: Metzneria lappella
Order & Family: Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Gelechiidae
Size: Wingspan typically between 13 to 19 mm; body length is roughly 5 to 7 mm.
Natural Habitat
Inhabits fields, waste grounds, and road verges where Burdock plants (Arctium) are present.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on seeds within the seed heads (burs) of burdock plants; adults do not feed or take nectar.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal adults fly from June to August. Larvae spend their entire life cycle inside the seed heads, overwintering as pupae.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to humans; acts as a natural biological control by limiting the seed production of Burdock plants, which can be invasive weeds.
Identified on: 4/21/2026