Metzneria lappella - 21st June 2023-Belper - Dave Evans
35.056 BF724  – Burdock Seedhead Moth  – Metzneria lappella  – (Linnaeus, 1758)
Adult Micro:  CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species –      
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Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce   
Taxonomy:   Micro   >>  Gelechiidae  >> Anomologinae
Other Name/s: Burdock Neb
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Metzneria aestivella (Carline Seedhead Moth); Metzneria metzneriella (Knapweed Seedhead Moth)
ID pointers: Forewing is sandy brown mottled with a variety of darker markings especially towards the base. Greyish-brown veins and blackish dots at about a half and again at a two thirds, but can be absent.
Distribution:  (Last record: 10 June 2025 at Cromford )  –  Likely uncommon – recorded from scattered locations across the recording area; Sawley 1981; 1982; many bred from seeds 1983; (Harrison & Sterling); 1992-2012 6 records; 6 records 2019-2024 (iRecord); 17/7/2024 Ashford Marble Mill (DaNES) Cromford 10/6/2025
General Comment: None
Flight Period: June /  July Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Dave Evans; Will Soar, Clive Ashton  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 7 November 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 16-20mm
Food Plant: Greater Burdock
Last Recorded Year: 2025
Last Recorded By – Clive Ashton
Last Recorded General Area – Cromford

Selected Images:  

Belper – (2023) Dave Evans©; Kings Newton (2019) Will Soar© / Cromford (2025) Clive Ashton©



Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1992 - 2025)  |  Immatures: (between 2010 - 2010)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)

Distribution Map for Metzneria lappella

Found 15 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 7 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 8 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.


NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Metzneria lappella

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Note – the NBN Atlas datasets are listed in the map below and vary in their currency (uptodateness) – however, the map does give a general indication of the moth's distribution across the UK.

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Monthly Records By Year: Metzneria lappella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Metzneria lappella
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )

First/Last Recorded Dates: Metzneria lappella
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]

Shading shows moth presence between dates

Click the colour discs below to Select/De-select as Required

Recordings By Year: Metzneria lappella
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Metzneria lappella
AGR: 0%   |   Total % Change: 0%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Metzneria lappella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Metzneria lappella

Flight Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's flight periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen in flight, from site observation records received between 2020-2026.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Metzneria lappella – 15 records available

Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns

Site NameTetradDateCountStageRecorderSourceRecordKey
upper cromford gardenSK25Y10/06/20251adultAshton, Clivevc57_irecords_extractiBRC42212916
Ashford Marble MillSK16Z17/07/20241adultSteven Bellvc57_irecords_extractiBRC40548679
Ingleby Ave, DerbySK33L23/06/20241adultShervill, Andrewvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36609565
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A20/06/20241adultHallam, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC39934310
BelperSK34U21/06/20231adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC35314978
Staveley DerbyshireSK47H15/06/20231adultMorris, Sidvc57_irecords_extractiBRC30912856
Staveley DerbyshireSK47H13/06/20221adultMorris, Sidvc57_irecords_extractiBRC25914605
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y17/07/20192AdultSoar, Willvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34060072
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A07/07/20121AdultM.J. Williamsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COUBL
Lathkill DaleSK16Y04/09/20101LarvaeS.H. Hindvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001CP6LR
Midway, Derbys.SK32A10/07/20091adultWilliams, Michaelvc57_irecords_extractiBRC41990986
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A10/07/20091AdultM.J. Williamsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COSU8
Far Cross,Cavendish Park,MatlockSK36A11/06/20073AdultB.L. Stathamvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COWC3
Foremark Resr, TicknallSK32H09/07/20051AdultA. Davison;N. Topliss;W. Soarvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001CP2MW
Deerlands Rd, Ashgate, ChesterfieldSK37K10/06/19921AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COV89

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