(Gracillariidae) This family of the Lepidoptera order includes most leaf-mining species. Spread all over the world, this family is estimated to have more than 6,000 species. More than 1,740 species have been described. Adult are small and diurnal. Larvae are generally leaf-miners and infect foliage. During their growth, larvae have well-developed legs in the final stages of their metamorphosis. They feed on foliage sap in their first stages. Sometimes their diet changes in their last stages of their growth to consume the meaty parts of leaves and attack many plant species. It is known that some species of this family cause damages to agriculture, especially citrus.
