Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFGracillariidae Members:
Marmara Members:
2 NC Records

Marmara new species 11 - on Dysphania or Chenopodium (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Marmara new species 11 - on Dysphania or Chenopodium
view caption 		Marmara new species 11 - on Dysphania or Chenopodium
view caption 		Marmara new species 11 - on Dysphania or Chenopodium
view caption
Taxonomy
Family: GracillariidaeSubfamily: GracillariinaeTribe: [gracillariini]P3 Number: 0.00 MONA Number: 718.12
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 is an apparently undescribed species that mines the stems of Dysphania ambrosioides. As of 2024, the adults have not been reared.
Immatures and Development: The larvae produce elongated whitish mines along the stems of Dysphania ambrosioides.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: As of 2024, the only known records are from Scotland County in North Carolina.
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: The host plant occurs in the Sandhills and in a variety of disturbed habitats such as roadsides, fields, urban walkways and vacant lots.
Larval Host Plants: The only known host is Mexican-tea (Dysphania ambrosioides [ = Chemopodium ambrosioides]).
Observation Methods: Local populations are best documented by searching for the stem mines on Mexican-tea. 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 11 - on Dysphania or Chenopodium - No Common Name

Photos: 3

Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2022-08-23
Scotland Co.
Comment: A stem mine on Dysphania ambrosioides.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2022-08-23
Scotland Co.
Comment: A stem mine on Dysphania ambrosioides.
Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2018-12-03
Scotland Co.
Comment: Unoccupied stem miner was on Dysphania (Chenopodium) ambrosioides.