Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Gracillariidae Members:	Marmara Members:	14 NC Records

Marmara new species 2 - on Clematis (undescribed species) - No Common Name

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Taxonomy

Family:
Gracillariidae

Subfamily:
Gracillariinae

Tribe:
[gracillariini]

P3 Number:
0.0

MONA Number:
718.03

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 species mines the leaves of Japanese Virgin's-bower (Clematis terniflora) and at least one native species of Clematis. Tracy Feldman, Charley Eiseman and Jeff Niznik have all reared the adults from North Carolina and this species hopefully will be described in the coming years. One adult from Orange County that was reared by Jeff Niznik is pictured above.

Immatures and Development: Females lay eggs singly on both the upper and lower sides of Clematis leaves. The larvae produce a long, linear, whitish epidermal mine that in some cases may extend into the petiole and stem (Eiseman, 2022). The frass is often not evident, but when present forms a narrow, central line. When finished feeding, the larvae exit and pupate in clear cocoons that are covered with white frothy bubbles. The adults emerge within a few weeks after pupating. In North Carolina, the adults have been reared in early January and late June (Eiseman, 2022), as well as late-July.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution:

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Local populations commonly use Japanese Virgin's-bower, which commonly occurs on road banks, roadside thickets, disturbed areas along stream banks and other disturbed habitats.

Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed on Clematis species. Most of our records are for Japanese Virgin's-bower (Clematis terniflora), which is an invasive species. As of 2024, our only record for a native species is for Swamp Leatherflower (C. crispa).

Observation Methods: Records are best obtained by searching for mines on Clematis leaves. The adults should be reared, photographed and collected whenever possible.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[SU]

State Protection:

Comments:

Photo Gallery for Marmara new species 2 - on Clematis - No common name

Photos: 20

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-11-22 Wilson Co. Comment: On Clematis terniflora.		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-11-22 Wilson Co. Comment: On Clematis terniflora.
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-08 Orange Co. Comment: Reared from a mine on Clematis terniflora found 7/22/ 2024.		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-08 Orange Co. Comment: Reared from a mine on Clematis terniflora found 7/22/ 2024; pupal case protruding from the pupation chamber.
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-22 Orange Co. Comment: A mine on Clematis terniflora (adult reared).		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-10-11 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-09-12 Durham Co. Comment: Mines (likely empty) on Clematis terniflora; an undescribed species.		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-09-12 Durham Co. Comment: Mines (likely empty) on Clematis terniflora. These have been reared before on Clematis terniflora (in Durham from Sandy Creek Park, and from Jordan Lake in Orange County), and on Clematis crispus in Pender County (Roan Island)
	Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-09-12 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2022-08-04 Pender Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2022-08-04 Pender Co. Comment: Occupied mine was on Clematis crispa.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2022-08-04 Pender Co. Comment: Occupied mine was on Clematis crispa.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-10-26 Madison Co. Comment: On Clematis terniflora. The larvae feed initially on the epidermis, then move to the major veins. From there they appear to sometimes mine through the petiole into the stem.		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-10-26 Madison Co. Comment: On Clematis terniflora. The larvae feed initially on the epidermis, then move to the major veins. From there they appear to sometimes mine through the petiole into the stem.
	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2019-01-08 Durham Co. Comment: On Clematis terniflora.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2019-01-08 Durham Co. Comment: On Clematis terniflora.
	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2019-01-08 Durham Co. Comment: On Clematis terniflora.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2018-06-24 Chatham Co. Comment: Occupied mines on Clematis terniflora.
	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2018-06-24 Chatham Co. Comment: pupal case on Clematis terniflora.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2018-06-24 Chatham Co. Comment: Stem miner on Clematis terniflora.