Moths of North Carolina
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
« »
View PDFGracillariidae Members:
Marmara Members:
2 NC Records

Marmara new species 9 - on Cercis (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Marmara new species 9 - on Cercis Marmara new species 9 - on Cercis
Taxonomy
Family: GracillariidaeSubfamily: GracillariinaeTribe: [gracillariini]P3 Number: 33a0394 MONA Number: 718.10
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:                                                                                  
Adult Markings: This appears to be an undescribed species that mines the stems of Eastern Redbud.
Immatures and Development: The larvae produce irregular, elongated mines on the younger stems of Cercis canadensis.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: As of 2024, we have one record from the eastern Piedmont and a second from the 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
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are found where Eastern Redbud is present, including residential neighborhoods, roadside embankments, and rich woods with ciarcumneutral soils.
Larval Host Plants: Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis is the only documented host.
Observation Methods: We recommend searching for the mines on the younger stems of Eastern Redbud. The adults should be reared, photographed and collected whenever possible.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNS[SU]
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Marmara new species 9 - on Cercis - No Common Name

Photos: 2

Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2018-11-26
Scotland Co.
Comment: Unoccupied stem mine was on Cercis canadensis.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2018-11-26
Scotland Co.
Comment: Unoccupied stem mine was on Cercis canadensis.