Skip to main content
Today is World Oceans Day!
Close

Leaf Mining Larvae

Photo by LaurenZarate
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

16.7354, -92.6387

Field Notes

Description:

A leaf of about 6 cm long with the trails of 3 leaf-mining larvae. The trails begin very small and get increasingly larger as the larva grows. The 3 larvae are visible at the ends of their trails. All are between the layers of the leaf. I'm not sure if these are moths, wasps or flies, all of which have leaf-mining species.

Habitat:

Abandoned field, semi-urban area on the outskirts of the city, 2,200 meters.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (8)
LaurenZarate
Thank you John for the neat information. I'll go find the leaf and put it in a jar.
John La Salle
I am guessing that these are moths - only because you see the black lines (actually the excrement of the larva chewing through the leaf) a bit more commonly in the moths than in the leaf-mining flies (which are mostly Agromyzidae). Put them in a jar and see what comes out - you will more than likely get both the leafminer and also parasitic wasps (which love leafminers).
sarahaw1981
What an interesting find! Great observations to!! :-)

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Nests, hives, bowers, webs & other animal architecture
Mission
Mexico Horn of Plenty
Photographed
PublishedJanuary 18, 2013

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies