Early stages: Metzneria lappella

Another relatively widespread moth with a commonly occurring food plant whose larvae are easy to find at this time of year - Metzneria lappella.

The often abundant larvae can be found in their winter hibernacula within the seed heads of Greater Burdock.  This hard hibernacula can be felt once the seed head is opened and teasing this apart further will reveal the rather dumpy looking larva.

They are also easy to rear through, just pop a few seed heads in a container and wait...simple.

Burdock seed head, note lack of external signs of 'occupation' Larval hibernaculum made from several seeds Larva within opened hibernaculum Larva extracted from hibernaculum