Nemophora metallica

Wingspan 15 to 20 mm.  One of the 'longhorn' moths, the male has antennae three times the length of the forewings, the female around half this length. The wings have a relatively plain bronzy sheen.

Good photographs required. Please state if found in association with Field Scabious. Expert confirmation may be necessary.

Where Field Scabious is present.

The moths fly in June and July during the day.

Like other members of the genus, the larvae feed at first on seeds and later on leaves or leaf-litter, mainly of field scabious (Knautia arvensis).

Occurring mainly in the south of England and East Anglia. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland where the Empingham garden record of 19/07/2021 appears to be the first VC55 record of this species.