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

Marmara new species 12 - on Euphorbia (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Marmara new species 12 - on Euphorbia
view caption 		Marmara new species 12 - on Euphorbia
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Taxonomy
Family: GracillariidaeSubfamily: GracillariinaeTribe: [gracillariini]P3 Number: 0.00 MONA Number: 718.13
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 feeds on Euphorbia. As of 2024 only one adult has been reared, but it was damaged and was not described.
Immatures and Development: The larvae mine the upper surfaces of leaves, as well as the petioles and stems of Euphorbia cyathophora and perhaps other Euphorbia species with broad leaves. The larva initially mines the leaf and produces a long, convoluted, and gradually widening whitish mine that crosses over itself repeatedly. It may eventually pass along the petiole and stem. Tracy Feldman reared one adult from a mine that was collected in late-July, but it was too damaged to describe adequately.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: This species has been found on dried herbarium specimens from South Carolina. As of 2024, our only record is from New Hanover County in the southern 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: The flight season is undocumented.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: Wild Poinsettia (Euphorbia cyathophora) is the only known host as of 2024.
Observation Methods: Local populations are best documented by searching for the leaf mines on Wild Poinsettia during the summer months. 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 12 - on Euphorbia - No common name

Photos: 2

Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2021-07-31
New Hanover Co.
Comment: Occupied leaf mine was on Euphorbia cyathophora; adult reared. 		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2021-07-31
New Hanover Co.
Comment: Occupied mine was on Euphorbia cyathophora; adult reared.