Moths of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

View PDF	Gracillariidae Members:	Marmara Members:	8 NC Records
Marmara auratella Braun, 1915 - No Common Name

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Taxonomy

Superfamily: Gracillarioidea	Family: Gracillariidae	Subfamily: Gracillariinae	Tribe: [Gracillariini]	P3 Number: 33a0386	MONA Number: 704.00
Comments: The genus Marmara contains 19 described species from North America and numerous undescribed species. Most species are monophagous, and the mines have been found on over 80 North American plant genera that belong to 40 families (Eiseman et al., 2017). Given the small number of described species relative to the large number of hosts, there appear to be dozens of undescribed species in the US. Many of the species are difficult to rear and are only known from leaf or stem mines. North Carolina appears to have numerous undescribed species based on host preferences and mine characteristics. We have included forms that we believe are probably undescribed species (ca. 30) and have listed these by their host plants. We encourage individual to submit any leaf or stem mines that they find based on the plant hosts in order to better document the distribution and relative abundance of these forms in North Carolina.
Species Status: We have several records of stem mines on Eupatorium, along with reared adults, that are very close matches with Braun's (1915) original description of Marmara auratella (see below). Here we are provisionally treating these as this species as we await the results of additional studies of genitalia and molecular markers.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:	Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD	Technical Description, Adults: Braun (1915)	Technical Description, Immature Stages: Braun (1915); Eiseman (2022).
Adult Markings: The following description is based on that of Braun (1915) based on two reared adults from Ohio. The head and thorax are dark brown and have a distinct bronzy luster, while the face is metallic gray. The antenna is dark brown and the labial palp bronzy, with the apical half of the third segment whitish. The forewing ground color is dark bronzy brown to blackish and has an almost golden luster under brilliant illumination. The forewing ground is overlaid with a series of brilliant silvery white marks. The first is a fascia at the basal fourth of the wing that is nearly straight on the inner margin, but broadens outwardly below the fold. At the middle of the wing there is a somewhat oblique costal streak, and nearly opposite it but a little farther back on the dorsal margin, an erect dorsal streak. The remaining marks include a triangular costal streak at the apical third that almost meets the apex of a similar, opposing dorsal streak, and a narrow costal streak just before the apex that nearly crosses the wing. The cilia are mostly dark brown, but shining white opposite the apex. The hindwing and fringe are dark brownish gray, and the legs are dark brown with broad silvery annulations. The lower side of the abdomen has segments that are silvery on the posterior half.
Wingspan: 6.5 mm (Braun, 1915).
Immatures and Development: The larvae mine the stems of members of the Asteraceae. Braun (1915) reported that the mines that she observed on a cultivated Rudbeckia were usually produced on the lower part of the stem. The larvae mined just beneath the epidermis and usually worked downwards to form long, convoluted tracks that crossed over themselves many times. When fully-fed, each larva cut through the epidermis and two layers of bark beneath it to create an elongated flap of tissue near the end of the mine. The flap was then bent into a fold and the cocoon spun on the underside of the flap so that its lower surface was visible when the flap was lifted up. The cocoons lacked the pearly globules that are characteristic of the cocoons of most Marmara species, and a silken tunnel was constructed at one end of each to allow the pupa to emerge at eclosion. Stem mines that Tracy Feldman has found on Eupatorium spp. in North Carolina general conform to this description, with the larvae producing long, convoluted mines and bark flaps for pupation. A thin, broken central pass line is sometimes evident in these.

Distribution in North Carolina


Distribution: The range is poorly documented. As of 2024, records include southern Ohio and eastern North Carolina where we have records from the eastern Piedmont and western Coastal Plain.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.


Flight Dates: High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft. Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft. Piedmont (Pd) Coastal Plain (CP) Click on graph to enlarge
Immature Dates: High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft. Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft. Piedmont (Pd) Coastal Plain (CP) Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: Braun (1915) noted that there are two generations a year in southern Ohio, with the first pupating toward the end of July and produce adults in early August. The larvae of the second generation pupate in October and overwinter, with the adults emerging the following June. As of 2024, we have adult records from late-August, and records of occupied mines or pupae from August.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Local populations are generally found either in disturbed habitats such as weedy fields or roadsides, or in Sandhill communities with open canopies that support herbaceous species.

Larval Host Plants: The larvae mine the stems of composites, including a cultivated form of Cutlef Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) and ornamental Dahlia (Braun, 1915; 1922). Tracy Feldman has several records of this species feeding on Dog-fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) and Yankeeweed (E. compositifolium) in North Carolina, with the former appearing to be the most commonly used host. These are the only native species that are used as hosts that we are aware of.

Observation Methods: Local populations are best documented by searching for the mines and bark flaps on Eupatorium species and rearing the adults.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[SU]

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments:

Photo Gallery for Marmara auratella - No common name		Photos: 11
	Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-08-25 Durham Co. Comment: on Eupatorium capillifolium stem.	Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-08-25 Durham Co. Comment: on Eupatorium capillifolium stem.
	Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-08-25 Durham Co. Comment: Bark flap on Eupatorium capillifolium stem.	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2022-08-24 Durham Co. Comment: A reared adult from Eupatorium capillifolium; bark flap with pupa on August 14; adult on August 24. .
	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2022-08-24 Durham Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2022-08-14 Durham Co. Comment: A bark flap with a pupa on Eupatorium capillifolium.
	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2020-08-18 Richmond Co. Comment: Occupied stem mine was on Eupatorium compositifolium; adult on Aug 29.	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2020-08-18 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2019-09-22 Durham Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2019-08-27 Wake Co. Comment: Bark flap with pupa on Aug. 22; adult emerged on Aug. 27.
	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2019-08-22 Wake Co. Comment:

Marmara auratella Braun, 1915 - No Common Name

Photo Gallery for Marmara auratella - No common name

Photos: 11