Spinivalva is a genus of moths in the family Gracillariidae. It contains only one species, Spinivalva gaucha, which is found in Brazil.

Spinivalva
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Gracillariidae
Subfamily: Gracillariinae
Genus: Spinivalva
Moreira & Vargas, 2013
Species:
S. gaucha
Binomial name
Spinivalva gaucha
Moreira & Vargas, 2013

The length of the forewings is 2.78–3.61 mm. The forewings are mostly covered by dark-grey scales. There is a narrow stripe of white scales along the posterior margin. A zigzag edge, formed by short, oblique white fascia, separates this stripe from the remaining, mostly dark-grey area. The hindwings are completely covered by dark-grey scales.

The larvae feed on Passiflora actinia, Passiflora misera and Passiflora suberosa. They mine the leaves of their host plant. The mine starts as a narrow, slightly serpentine gallery, increasing in width progressively and becoming a blotch during the last larval instar. The larva feeds on the palisade parenchyma. Dark-green granular frass pellets are deposited throughout the mine. The larva leaves the mine through a slit made in the blotch section. Pupation takes place in a cocoon, usually made on the adaxial leaf surface of adjacent leaves.

Etymology

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The genus name is derived from Latin spina (meaning spine) and valve (meaning valve) and refers to the conspicuous spine-like process present on the male valvae. The specific name is derived from the Portuguese Gaúcho, a term commonly used for natives of Rio Grande do Sul, the state in Brazil where the new species was first found.[1]

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References

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