Moths of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

View PDF	Gracillariidae Members:	Marmara Members:	28 NC Records
Marmara new species 1 - on Symplocos (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: Gracillariidae	Subfamily: Gracillariinae	Tribe: [gracillariini]	P3 Number: 0.0	MONA Number: 718.02
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, and Tracy Feldman has spearheaded efforts to document these within the state. We have included Marmara that we believe are probably undescribed species (ca. 30) and have listed these by their host plants. We encourage individuals 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.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:	Online Resources:	Technical Description, Immature Stages: Eiseman (2022)
Adult Markings: This appears to be undescribed leaf and stem miner of Common Sweetleaf (Symplocos tinctoria). As of 2024, the adults have not been reared and our only records are for leaf mines.
Immatures and Development: This species produces long, linear, narrow mines on the upper leaf surface of Common Sweetleaf. The convoluted mine typically begins on the leaf blade and commonly loops around to cross over older portions of the mine. The larva eventually mines along the petiole, then into the stem (Eiseman, 2022). The larvae presumably overwinter in the stems, with the adults emerging the following spring.
Larvae ID Requirements: Unmistakable and widely known.

Distribution in North Carolina


Distribution: This species has been documented in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina. As of 2024, we have records from the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and at lower-elevation sites along the the Blue Ridge escarpment.
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: The flight season is undocumented because of the lack of adult records.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: The host plant can be found in a variety of habitats that range from sandy pinelands and dry ridges to bottomland forests and the margins of pocosins.

Larval Host Plants: The only known host is Common Sweetleaf (Symplocos tinctoria).

Observation Methods: The mines are easy to spot on the leaves of Common Sweetleaf, but the adults have yet to be reared.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for Sweetleaf Thickets

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S3S4]

State Protection:

Comments:

Photo Gallery for Marmara new species 1 - on Symplocos - No common name		Photos: 24
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-02-04 Martin Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-01-30 Pitt Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-12-30 Beaufort Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-12-30 Hyde Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-12-08 Brunswick Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-12-08 Duplin Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-12-08 Pender Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-12-08 Sampson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-12-01 Johnston Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-11-29 Greene Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-11-29 Pitt Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-11-28 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-11-03 Columbus Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-31 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George on 2024-10-27 Craven Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-19 Brunswick Co. Comment: Symplocos tinctoria was host plant.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-10-21 Rutherford Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin, Steve Hall, Todd Pusser, Bo Sullivan and Carol Tingley on 2022-09-27 Richmond Co. Comment: On Horse Sugar and probably an undescribed species.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-03-16 Brunswick Co. Comment: An unoccupied mine on Symplocos tinctoria.	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-10-11 Burke Co. Comment: An unknown Marmara that feeds on Symplocos tinctoria. The mine eventually extends down the petiole.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-09-30 Scotland Co. Comment: An unknown Marmara that feeds on Symplocos tinctoria. The mine eventually extends down the petiole and into the stem.	Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2021-03-12 Craven Co. Comment: An unknown Marmara that feeds on Symplocos tinctoria. The mine eventually extends down the petiole and into the stem.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-11-21 Rutherford Co. Comment: On Symplocos tinctoria. The larva initially mines the epidermis, then moves into the major veins, then into the petiole and stem. Probably an undescribed species.	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-11-21 Rutherford Co. Comment: On Symplocos tinctoria. The larva initially mines the epidermis, then moves into the major veins, then the petiole and stem.

Marmara new species 1 - on Symplocos (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Photo Gallery for Marmara new species 1 - on Symplocos - No common name

Photos: 24