Native range is Argentina and Uruguay. Recently established in North America. Present in a handful of states including California, Maryland, and Delaware (BugGuide).
"The leaf mines, larvae, and adult shown [in BugGuide] perfectly match those illustrated by Bentancourt and Scatoni (2007). The only known native Porphyrosela in the US, P. desmodiella, is very similar as an adult. However, it makes underside tentiform mines, not flat upperside mines like those of P. minuta, and Trifolium is not one of its known hosts." (BugGuide)
Porphyrosela minuta leaf mines in Baltimore City, Maryland (8/13/2012). Verified by Charley Eiseman/BugGuide.
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Thomas Wilson.
Porphyrosela minuta is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. It is known from Argentina, Brazil and Chile.[1] It has been recently introduced in North America and is found in several states, as far north as Maryland.[2]